CREEDE— The Creede Board of Trustees opened their meeting on May 7 with a heavy agenda of topic to discuss and resolutions to pass. The meeting began with a public comment period where a few citizens voiced concerns about the flume and areas where construction had taken place.
Jenny Inge voiced concern about water leaking into a basement, stating that it had not occurred until after the flume was repaired and that she had voiced the concern prior to the start of construction. Another citizen, Amy Krueger, stated that she had voiced concern several times about a pile of dirt and fence that needed to be put back once construction had ended, but that it had not been done.
After hearing the issues, the board agreed that they would look into the problems as quickly as possible and get the situation resolved in a timely matter. Trustee Lori Dooley spoke up on behalf of the board and stated that the town is severely understaffed and apologized for their response taking so long.
Next on the agenda was a presentation by EPA Remedial Project Manager Dania Zinner and Colorado Department of Local Health and Environment representative Ross Davis. The group held three presentations throughout a two-day period beginning with the Mineral County Commissioners and a public meeting at town hall before coming before the board.
“We are going to keep our time with you short; anyone interested in learning more of what we are doing can look at the information packet that will be posted here at town hall and visit our remedial website by googling Nelson Tunnel Superfund Site on the web,” stated Zinner.
According to information provided by the packet, “The Nelson Tunnel contaminants contain arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and zinc. The Commodore waste pile and Nelson Tunnel were therefore co-listed as a Superfund Site September 2008. From 2008 to 2009, the Commodore waste pile underwent removal action that stabilized the pile. However, though the feasibility study was conducted, there has been no further action from the EPA since.”
In a recently released addendum describing the characteristics of the tunnel it states that a remedial investigation was completed in 2011 with new information. The report also states that there has been a significant amount of water quality data collected directly from the tunnel and water quality monitoring stations along Willow Creek, West Willow Creek and the Rio Grande River.
During the past several months, the EPA has been able to gain safe access into the tunnel by stabilizing 3,600 feet into the opening. According to the presentation the EPA will take a break over the summer to secure further funding options and work on design plans. “We will be coming back in the fall to discuss feedback we receive on the community involvement plan. You can comment and give opinions on the plan at the website,” stated Davis.
The 2019 addendum and information are available for review at town hall and more information on the project can be found at www.cumulis.epa.gov. More about this meeting will be reported in next week’s Mineral County Miner.By Lyndsie Ferrell
CREEDE— The Creede Board of Trustees opened their meeting on May 7 with a heavy agenda of topic to discuss and resolutions to pass. The meeting began with a public comment period where a few citizens voiced concerns about the flume and areas where construction had taken place.
Jenny Inge voiced concern about water leaking into a basement, stating that it had not occurred until after the flume was repaired and that she had voiced the concern prior to the start of construction. Another citizen, Amy Krueger, stated that she had voiced concern several times about a pile of dirt and fence that needed to be put back once construction had ended, but that it had not been done.
After hearing the issues, the board agreed that they would look into the problems as quickly as possible and get the situation resolved in a timely matter. Trustee Lori Dooley spoke up on behalf of the board and stated that the town is severely understaffed and apologized for their response taking so long.
Next on the agenda was a presentation by EPA Remedial Project Manager Dania Zinner and Colorado Department of Local Health and Environment representative Ross Davis. The group held three presentations throughout a two-day period beginning with the Mineral County Commissioners and a public meeting at town hall before coming before the board.
“We are going to keep our time with you short; anyone interested in learning more of what we are doing can look at the information packet that will be posted here at town hall and visit our remedial website by googling Nelson Tunnel Superfund Site on the web,” stated Zinner.
According to information provided by the packet, “The Nelson Tunnel contaminants contain arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and zinc. The Commodore waste pile and Nelson Tunnel were therefore co-listed as a Superfund Site September 2008. From 2008 to 2009, the Commodore waste pile underwent removal action that stabilized the pile. However, though the feasibility study was conducted, there has been no further action from the EPA since.”
In a recently released addendum describing the characteristics of the tunnel it states that a remedial investigation was completed in 2011 with new information. The report also states that there has been a significant amount of water quality data collected directly from the tunnel and water quality monitoring stations along Willow Creek, West Willow Creek and the Rio Grande River.
During the past several months, the EPA has been able to gain safe access into the tunnel by stabilizing 3,600 feet into the opening. According to the presentation the EPA will take a break over the summer to secure further funding options and work on design plans. “We will be coming back in the fall to discuss feedback we receive on the community involvement plan. You can comment and give opinions on the plan at the website,” stated Davis.
The 2019 addendum and information are available for review at town hall and more information on the project can be found at www.cumulis.epa.gov. More about this meeting will be reported in next week’s Mineral County Miner.