Suggested Desired Outcomes from Citizens

2/22/18

During the past Citizen Superfund Workgroup meetings, we’ve been making note of different desired outcomes participants have suggested. Here is a list of what we have heard. The order in which outcomes are listed below doesn’t represent any type of prioritization. However the numbers in parenthesis signify the number of votes each outcome received at the February 22nd meeting. The underlined desired outcomes are ones we added during the February 22nd meeting.

Water Quality/Aquatic Health

  1. (8) At a minimum, water quality below Silverton should be at least as good as it was in the early 2000’s.
  1. (2) Improve water quality in other areas of the Animas Basin beyond just downstream of Silverton (Mineral Creek drainage and Animas upstream of Silverton).
  1. (2) Focus on minimizing future large releases from mines (blowouts, mine waste collapses).
  1. (3) Set clean up goals that account for natural metal loading.
  1. (2) Monitor river through macroinvertebrate and fish health.
  1. Develop a mitigation plan with fishery enhancements.
  1. Use computer models to estimate metal loads in sediments.
  1. (4) Return water in the Animas River and tributaries to pre-mining water quality.
  1. Water quality goals should be protective of human health and environment.

Local Knowledge and Local Input

  1. (1) Utilize citizen science and take it seriously.
  1. (1) Include local citizens in the discussions of cleanup strategies and priorities. (Don’t hide discussions in Denver or DC and then tell us what you’re going to do.)

Superfund Process

  1. Get EPA to seriously consider and incorporate these desired outcomes in their planning and implementation work.
  1. (2) Get the biggest bang for the buck. (Don’t waste money on sites or actions that will not have many benefits. Don’t do visible projects just for show.)
  1. (3) Prioritize work and set timelines including deadlines. Determine priorities based on cost/benefit ratios (e.g. cost per pound of metal removed, overall environmental impact)
  1. Set measurable goals and endpoints through detailed discussions with local citizenry.
  1. (2) Prioritize in-situ treatment inside mines as opposed to treatment plants.
  1. (1) Use the Gladstone treatment plant to its full potential. (In addition to the Gold King, treat the Red & Bonita, and American Tunnel.)
  1. Settle on the scope of the Bonita Peak site. (Size, boundaries.)
  1. Involve 3rd party experts in the process of determining remediation feasibility.
  1. (2) EPA should work collaboratively and utilize existing data, as opposed to insisting on using EPA standard protocols. (This includes utilizing data collected by Animas River Stakeholders Group, local, State, and Federal government agencies and other organizations.)
  1. In order to save financial resources and time, honor existing valid data, and demonstrate working collaboratively (as detailed in the Town of Silverton and San Juan County's letter to Governor Hickenlooper dated 2/22/16), we request that the EPA: A) begin all work in the BPMD (including, but not limited to investigations and remediation work) by collecting and utilizing existing information; B) any existing data that is not used must be explained, documented, and announced to the public; and C) that all planned actions be made public before they are started by announcing the planned actions in PSAs, the BPMD monthly update, posts on the EPAs BPMD webpage, and coordinating with local, State and Federal agencies and organizations in the area.
  1. (8) Inform the public of all actions in the BPMD and work collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies and organizations. (This includes, but is not limited to: inventory of historic properties, natural resource studies, human health studies, and planned remedial actions. Announcements should be posted in local newspapers, in the BPMD monthly newsletter, and posted on the EPA's BPMD website for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to beginning the action so that the public may review and ensure that all applicable existing data, resources, and stakeholders are being and utilized. These are announcements of actions, not findings, as such, they should include what is being studied, where (the locations), who is doing the work and why.)
  1. (1) Create sustainable solutions (ones that can adapt to changing situations and changing technologies.
  1. (4) Recover costs through enforcement of liability so taxpayers aren’t stuck with the whole bill.

Socio-Economic

  1. (1) Preserve historical mining landscape, including mining features such as structures, rail grades, waste piles, diversion ditches, etc.
  1. (1) Use the Bonita Peak site to promote research and innovation for managing environmental problems at historical mine sites.
  1. (5) Test new, innovative treatment technologies at Gladstone using good science.
  1. (2) Prioritize employing local people for doing necessary work. (Over the past 2 ½ years, only two full time and one part-time locals have been hired.)
  1. Develop a scientific library of information related to on-going work.
  1. (1) Develop a repository of data and studies of potential impacts of metals to agricultural uses.
  1. Minimize impacts to tourism during remediation.
  1. (1) Provide educational and interpretive opportunities to the public. (For example, signs or kiosks explain mining history, environmental issues, and remediation at specific sites.)
  1. Develop a mitigation plan with recreational and educational enhancements.
  1. (3) Provide detailed accounting and justification of how tax dollars are spent each year both past and future.
  1. (4) Support the principle of environmental justice, including using traditional knowledge from Native Americans and seriously considering concerns of low-income communities (e.g. New Mexico communities along the river).
  1. (3) Don’t take actions that preclude responsible mining in the future.
  1. (5) Develop and incorporate long-term, local stewardship of the community and environment. (Get local community members involved so they have a stake will maintain and enhance the environmental quality of the community after federal agencies move on to the next project.)

Human Health

  1. Mitigate health risks from metal exposure through soils and air at campsites and other recreational areas.
  1. Establish and meet metal in soil standards (including from airborne deposition in population centers.

Terrestrial

  1. Don’t spread or make conditions for potentially spreading of noxious weeds during remediation. (Develop standards for minimizing negative environmental consequences; e.g. allow only weed free equipment and supplies on sites, disallow site fertilization).
  1. (1) Develop a mitigation plan with riparian vegetation enhancements.