Considering the Flat Creek/Iron Mountain
I Mine Site For Superfund Cleanup
Topics:
Introduction
Background
Contamination
Investigations
2007
Re-assessment
Health Risks
Listing Process
Opportunities to
be Involved
FAQs
Project Contacts
Introduction
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Montana Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) are considering placing Flat Creek/Iron Mountain
Mine on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). Placement on this List
("Listing") would make funds available to cleanup contaminated areas and protect
public health and the environment in and around the
Town of Superior, Montana.
Before a Site can even be proposed for Listing, EPA
needs input from the community, the Town of Supe-
rior, Mineral County and the State of Montana.
EPA and DEQ are providing this information to help
you better understand the possible Superfund Listing
and by being informed, provide input into the decision
to move forward (or not) with Listing the Site.
Background
This fact sheet
provides background
information about
why EPA and DEQ
are considering
adding this Site to the
national Superfund
cleanup list.
Please take a few
minutes to look it over.
The area being considered for addition to the National Priorities List has
contamination from abandoned historic hard rock mining operations at the Iron
Mountain Mine and Mill (IMM). The Iron Mountain Mine and Mill operated from
1909-1930 and again from 1947-1953. The mine produced silver, gold, lead, copper,
and zinc ores. The town of Superior is located approximately 3.5 miles downstream
of the old Iron Mountain Mine and Mill.
The proposed Site consists of 4 areas potentially needing cleanup:
• Soils in residential areas in the Town of Superior
• Former drinking water source
• Abandoned mine and milling properties
• Sediments in and near Flat Creek
The Site contains multiple mine waste tailings piles found to have levels of arsenic,
antimony, lead, and manganese that could pose long-term risks to public health and
the environment. Superfund Listing would make the Site eligible for funds to
cleanup the contamination and would also provide opportunities for technical assis-
tance to local residents, the Town of Superior and Mineral County.
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Areas of Contamination
The Site contains multiple mine waste tailings piles
outside of town found to have levels of arsenic, anti-
mony, lead, and manganese that could pose long-term
risks to public health and the environment. The full ex-
tent of contamination has not been determined yet, and
many of the tailings were directly deposited into and
near Flat Creek. Some of the tailings were transported
further from flooding after a forest fire in 2000. Water
draining from the mine was also found to contain highly
elevated levels of arsenic, lead, antimony above the
drinking water standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs).
The Town of Superior in the past used a drinking water
well (ground water) two miles downstream from the
Iron Mountain Mine and Mill. That well is no longer in
use because sampling showed levels of antimony above
the drinking water standard (MCL). The water that is
provided to residents is safe and is regularly sampled to
ensure it is within drinking water standards. A private
well in the area also was found to contain elevated levels
of antimony.
Seep at head of tailings pile in Hall Gulch at
Iron Mountain Mine and Mill
' , i
hat I
Base of tailings pile look back toward seep
in Hall Gulch
Mine tailings were brought into town and used as fill, road base and driveway material over
40 years ago. In town, contaminants of concern primarily consist of lead and arsenic.
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SUPERIOR WASTE ROCK
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FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET
PAGE 2
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Brief Summary of Previous Investigations
In 1993, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (formerly the Department of State
Lands) conducted an abandoned mine investigation of Iron Mountain Mine and Mill area. The
investigation found elevated levels of lead, arsenic, copper, mercury, zinc, cadmium, manganese,
and antimony. In 2004 DEQ added the Iron Mountain Mill site to its State Superfund List
(CECRA). Site boundaries have not yet been determined.
In 1998, the Town of Superior became concerned about
the potential public health effects from the Iron Mountain
Mine and Mill after a water sample from the Town's well
two miles downstream of the Mine tested above the
MCL for antimony.
In 2001, because of State and local concerns DEQ asked
US EPA to assess the Iron Mountain Mine and Mill, Flat
Creek, and Superior areas. EPA conducted some prelimi-
nary soil sampling in October 2001 at the Iron Mountain Mine and
three sites in Superior where tailings from the Mill had been used.
Surface water drainage across top of
tailings pile in Hall Gulch
, along Flat Creek, and at
Based on these sampling results, EPA conducted a time-critical removal of mine tailings used as
fill in town because of possible short-term health risks from heavy metal contamination of lead
and arsenic. The remediated areas included the high school track, portions of the county
fairgrounds, and a few private driveways and roads in Superior. In 2003 USFS sampled along
Flat Creek and found high levels of metals.
In 2007, US EPA conducted a re-assessment of the Iron Mountain Mine and Mill, Flat Creek,
and Superior areas to determine if residual contamination could pose long-term risks to public
health and the environment.
2007 Site Re-assessment
Responding to State and Lo-
cal concerns, EPA conducted
a re-assessment of the Iron
Mountain Mine, Flat Creek
drainage, and the Town of
Superior in early 2007.
From this re-assessment, EPA
determined that elevated lev-
els of contaminants do exist
in the following areas:
Mine tailings and waste
piles at the Iron Mountain Mine and Mill
Along Flat Creek
Mine tailings used as fill in several areas in Superior
FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET
ron Mountain Mine and Mi Site
PAGE 3
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Health Risks
EPA's 2007 Investigation, the Preliminary Assessment,
found that areas in the Town of Superior, along Flat
Creek, as well as at the Iron Mountain Mine and Mill
have levels of lead and arsenic over typical EPA action
levels. In addition, concentrations of arsenic, mercury,
lead, antimony, and zinc have been found at three times
the background level at both the waste and tailings piles
at the former Iron Mountain Mine and Mill. Antimony, arsenic, and lead are all
naturally-occurring elements, however, mining, milling, or other processing can concen-
trate these elements to a level where they pose a risk to public health.
Antimony —Breathing antimony over the long-term (longer than I year) can cause
eye and lung irritation. It can also cause heart and lung problems as well as stomach
pain, vomiting, and stomach ulcers. In large doses, antimony can cause vomiting. It is
not currently known if antimony causes cancer.
Arsenic — Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic can give you a sore throat or irri-
tated lungs. Ingesting very high levels of arsenic can result in death. Exposure to lower
levels can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood
cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of "pins and
needles" in hands and feet. Ingesting or breathing low levels of inorganic arsenic for a
long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small "corns" or
"warts" on the palms, soles, and torso. Skin contact with inorganic arsenic may cause
redness and swelling.
Lead — The effects of lead are the same whether it enters the body through breath-
ing or swallowing. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. The
main target for lead toxicity is the nervous system, both in adults and children. Long-
term exposure of adults can result in decreased performance in some tests that meas-
ure functions of the nervous system. It may also cause weakness in fingers, wrists, or
ankles. Lead exposure also causes small increases in blood pressure, particularly in mid-
dle-aged and older people and can cause anemia. Exposure to high lead levels can se-
verely damage the brain and kidneys in adults or children and ultimately cause death. In
pregnant women, high levels of exposure to lead may cause miscarriage. High level ex-
posure in men can damage the organs responsible for sperm production. There is no
conclusive evidence that lead can cause cancer in humans.
Listing Process
Twice a year EPA places sites on the National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund.
These opportunities occur every six months. When a site is proposed to the National
Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund, a public notice and news release are sent to local
papers announcing that it has been proposed and can be found in the Federal Register.
There is a 60-day comment period for the public to review documents used in the de-
cision making process and comment on the proposed action. If there are no significant
comments, then during the next opportunity the site becomes officially listed.
FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET
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Opportunities to be Involved
Over the past several months, the EPA and DEQ have met with local officials on a number of
occasions (April 21, 2008, June 18, 2008, July 14, 2008, July 31, 2008, October 13, 2008) to
provide information about the possible listing of the area on the National Priority List (NPL).
The EPA has also been working closely with the US Forest Service who also attended a
number of these meetings.
On October 27, 2008 EPA and DEQ in conjunction with the Town of Superior are holding a
public meeting to inform folks of potential threats to human health and the environment and
answer questions regarding the NPL.
If proposed to the NPL, a public notice will be published in the locals papers to notify the
public of the proposal and comment period. A site specific website will also be in the public
notice. A press release will also go out to area papers.
After the comment period, the site will be assigned to a Remedial Project Manager with EPA
and the DEQ. Then, to prepare for sampling, outreach will occur to ensure everyone has the
opportunity to have sampling and questions answered.
Throughout this process, on major decisions there will be opportunities to attend meetings to
learn about proposals and for the community to comment on what EPA is proposing.
Throughout the cleanup process EPA needs to hear from the stakeholders. Meetings will be
held, information mailed out, and some communities form community advisory groups to stay
abreast of what is going on at the site.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Superfund?
Congress established the Superfund program to ensure that threats to human health and the
environment from uncontrolled and abandoned hazardous waste sites are properly investigated
and addressed when necessary. Superfund staff have the authority to address such sites so that
nationally consistent evaluation criteria are applied and remediated sites meet the Environ-
mental Protection Agency's (EPA) standards.
How can Superfund help address a contaminated site?
Superfund is an important program that can determine whether there is a contamination
problem and how much of a problem exists. If an immediate human health or environmental
threat exists staff can respond quickly. If a more long-term cleanup is necessary, EPA evaluates
several cleanup alternatives making sure it meets EPA standards for a lasting remedy.
Will the community lose control of cleanup decisions if Superfund takes
over?
While Superfund is a national program, its impacts are local. EPA does not want to respond to
a contaminated site in a way that is unacceptable to the local community. The state and in-
terested citizens in the community must be involved in the process of deciding how to cleanup
the contaminated property. On major decisions there are opportunities to attend meetings to
learn about proposals and for the community to comment on what EPA is proposing.
Throughout the cleanup process EPA needs to hear from the stakeholders. Meetings are
held, information is mailed out, and some communities form community advisory
groups to stay abreast of what is going on at the site.
FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET
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If we use Superfund, does that mean our community becomes labeled "A
Superfund Site?
Some worry that communities face negative publicity if the Superfund program goes to work
on a site—the stigma of having contaminated property in the town. In fact, many Superfund
activities are nearly invisible. EPA has quickly and quietly conducted thousands of Superfund
Site Investigations and short-term response actions.
The bottom line is that the problem of environmental contamination in a community can be
solved. Communities working with state and federal agencies, can evaluate the best options
for addressing the contamination and reducing risks. Superfund is one of the options that
should be considered.
Will Superfund stifle economic growth?
Contaminated property is sometimes less marketable. It depends on the type of contamina-
tion, the proposed use for the property and market conditions. Most often, the quickest way
to improve the marketability of the property and surrounding properties is to get it cleaned up.
If a property is zoned for industrial uses, sometimes only limited cleanup is required for indus-
trial redevelopment. Once a property has been remediated, it can be returned to the land use
targeted in the cleanup.
Next Steps/Calendar
(If there is local support) Proposal to NPL Spring 2009
Do you have questions?
If so, please contact any of the project contacts below.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Gwen Christiansen, NPL Coordinator
(303) 312-6463
Toll-free: 1-800-227-8917x6463
christiansen.gwen@epa.gov
Diana Hammer, Community Involvement
(406) 457-5040
Toll-free: 1-866-457-2690
hammer.diana@epa.gov
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Denise Martin
(406)841-5060
demartin(a)mt.gov
FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET
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