US Waterways at Risk From 1000s of Defunct Mines Lacking Cleanup Funds

"While crews begin the arduous task of cleaning up Colorado’s Animas River — where contamination by heavy metals and toxins leaked from an abandoned hard rock mine turning the water orange — thousands of other natural sites across the American West remain at risk from similarly hazardous defunct quarries.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) estimates that there are currently 2,700 abandoned hard rock mines in need of environmental clean up. Nevada, nicknamed the “Silver State,” has the most, with an estimated 1,100 sites raising environmental concerns.

Abandoned hard rock mines can leach heavy metals into the water table or produce acid mine drainage, where chemicals mix with air and water to create toxic runoff that can impair aquatic life and public health. ...

However, finding resources to fund the necessary cleanup has proven challenging, with problematic policies and legal hurdles making progress slow."

Michael Keller reports for Aljazeera America August 12, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"After Colorado Waste Spill, E.P.A. Halts Field Investigations" (New York Times)

"EPA Chief: Colorado River Hit By Mine Waste Back To Pre-Spill Quality" (Reuters)

"Why Was The Environmental Protection Agency Messing With A Mine Above Silverton?" (KUNC)

"The Latest: States Vow To Ensure Mine Spill Compensation" (Washington Post)

"Towns And Tribes Block Intake of River Water Polluted By Colorado Mine Spill" (AP)

"EPA Chief Says Polluted Animas River 'seems To Be Restoring Itself'" (Los Angeles Times)

Editorial: "What the Gold Mine Disaster Tells Us" (New York Times)

"Experts See Long-Term Calamity From Colorado Mine Spill" (Christian Science Monitor)

"EPA Head Promises To 'Protect Public Health' After Colorado Spill" (Christian Science Monitor)

EPA Gold King Mine Update Page

"Damages in Colorado Mine Spill Will Take Years To Tabulate" (AP)