Agencies confused over authority on mine drain solutions

Excerpts from
Officials huddle on mine drain solutions
By CHRIS WOODKA
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

March 7, 2008

While plans are in motion to relieve pressure in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel, some officials are looking for long-term actions to prevent future problems.

"One of my concerns is that we don't narrow the scope of legislation," said state Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Sedalia, who has pushed for government action to relieve blockage in the mine tunnel.

"We need a multipronged approach to the solution. . . . All of these things are interconnected. If we don't address them simultaneously, we may not be getting the bang for our buck," Wiens said.

Lake County commissioners still are looking for a long-term fix to what they deemed an emergency three weeks ago.

"The Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel is not in the Superfund site," said Commissioner Ken Olsen. "Is there an effort to work toward a solution between agencies?"

The agencies talked again Thursday in a teleconference to review progress on efforts to deal with increased pressure from rising water tables believed to be caused by blockages in the Leadville Tunnel.

Managers from the major agencies involved remained tentative about where their authority begins and ends.

The Leadville Tunnel is operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, while the EPA has authority over the Yak Tunnel Superfund site in California Gulch.

Commissioners are frustrated over the working relationship between the EPA and the bureau and want to make sure legislation now in Congress meets the needs of Lake County.

"We here in Lake County have accumulated information we want in this bill," said Commissioner Mike Hickman. He told legislative staffers there will be new cost estimates within 10 days.

So far, water pumped from from the Gaw Shaft has shown high levels of heavy metals.

"We need a team approach," Wiens said. "We've got a problem, and we need to work together as a team."

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