Proposing the Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine Site For Superfund Cleanup Topics: Introduction Listing Process Contamination Investigations 2007 Re-assessment Health Risks Opportunities to be Involved Submitting Public Comments Project Contacts Introduction With support from the local community (Town of Superior and Mineral County) and the State of Montana, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to propose the Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine Site for the Superfund National Priori- ties List (NPL). EPA expects to propose the Flat Creek I MM site to the NPL in spring 2009. Placement on this List ("Listing") would make funds available to clean up contaminated areas and protect public health and the environment in and around the Town of Superior, Montana. Listing Process Twice a year (usually every six months) EPA places sites on the National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund. This fact sheet provides background information about Superfund Listing, what it means, and how YOU can be involved now and in the future. Please take a few minutes to look it over. 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 decision making process and comment on the proposed action. During the public comment period, comments can be submitted in the following ways: ON-LINE: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments using FDMS Docket # EPA-HQ-SFUND-2008-0075 BY EMAIL: Email written comments referring to FDMS Dockets EPA-HQ-SFUND-2009-0075, to: superfund.docket@epa.gov BY REGULAR MAIL: Send written comments referring to FDMS Docket # EPA-HQ-SFUND- 2009-0075, to: Docket Coordinator, Headquarters U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CERCLA Docket Office (Mail Code - 5305T) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20460 (202) 566-0276 If there are no significant comments opposing listing, then the Flat Creek IMM site could be officially added to the NPL this fall (2009). ------- 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, and antimony above the drinking water standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs). The Town of Superior in the past used a drinking water j 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. NSifl Seep at head of tailings pile in Hall Gulch at Iron Mountain Mine and Mill _../,' :hat 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. FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET PAGE ------- 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 the Iron Mountain Mine and Mill area. The investigation found elevated levels of lead, arsenic, copper, mercury, zinc, cadmium, man- ganese, and antimony. In 2004 DEQ added the Iron Mountain Mine and 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 Mill, along Flat Creek, and at three sites in Supe- rior where tailings from the Mill had been used. Surface water drainage across top of tailings pile in Hall Gulch 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 Local con- cerns, 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 levels of contaminants do exist in the following areas: Iron Mountain Mine and Mill Site. 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 If you know/suspect you have tailings on your property, please contact EPA. FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET PAGE 3 ------- Health Risks PUBLIC NOTICE HEALTH ADVISORY 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 higher than typical EPA action levels and higher than what EPA typically considers safe. In addition, concentrations of arsenic, mercury, lead, antimony, and zinc have been found at three times the background (natural to the area) 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 concentrate these ele- ments 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 irritated 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. Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen. Lead The effects of lead are the same whether it enters the body through breathing or swallowing. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. The main target for lead toxicity is the nerv- ous system, both in adults and chil- dren. Long-term exposure of adults can result in decreased perform- ance in some tests that measure functions of the nervous system. It may also cause weakness in fin- gers, wrists, or ankles. Lead ex- posure also causes small in- creases in blood pressure, par- ticularly in middle-aged and older people and can cause anemia. Exposure to high lead levels can severely 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 exposure in men can damage the organs responsible for sperm production. There is no conclusive evidence that lead can cause cancer in humans. EPA contractors removing lead-contaminated soil along Town street during 2002 Cleanup Action FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET PAGE 4 ------- Opportunities to be Involved Over the past several months, the EPA and DEQ have met with local officials and members of the public on a number of occasions in 2008: April 21; June 18; July 14; July 31; October I 3; and October 27. During each of these meetings, EPA provided information and answered questions 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. Now that the Flat Creek I MM Site is being proposed to the NPL with support from the Town of Superior, Mineral County, and the State of Montana there are additional opportunities for community members to stay informed and keep involved in Site activities. For more information about any the following opportunities, please call Diana Hammer, EPA, at 457-5040 or I -866-457-2690 during regular business hours. Public Meetings These will be held periodically throughout the cleanup. The next public meeting is planned for after the close of the public comment period about the proposed NPL listing. That meeting will likely occur in late May or early June 2009. The focus of that meeting will be to explain the plans for sampling properties in the Town of Superior. Community Interviews Early in the Superfund process, EPA conducts interviews with community members and leaders to learn about residents' concerns, preferred ways to communicate with the community, and residents' historical knowledge of the area information which may be useful in determining areas to be sure and sample for possible contamination. The interviews are confidential. Sum- marized information from the community interviews is used to develop a Community Involve- ment Plan. If you're interested in participating, please contact EPA. Community Advisory Group (CAG) During a Superfund cleanup, some communities form and participate on a Community Advisory Group (CAG). A CAG is made up of about 20 residents, representing different interests in the community. A CAG generally meets monthly or quarterly. During its meetings, CAG members receive cleanup updates from EPA, review and comment on docu- ments, and discuss any concerns or issues related to the cleanup. CAG members talk to their friends and neighbors, bringing information from this "network" to the CAG. CAG members can help keep the community informed through its community network. If a CAG is formed, EPA would offer to support the CAG with a meeting facilitator and by providing meeting space. Additional support may also be available from EPA. For more information about CAG, contact EPA or visit: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/community/cag/index.htm Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) A Technical Assistance Grant is a $50,000 grant made available to a non-profit community group to hire an independent Technical Advisor(s) to help the community better understand, and thus, better participate in Superfund Site-related activities and decisions. Only one TAG may be awarded per Superfund Site. If anyone is interested in applying or learning more, please contact EPA or visit http://www.epa.gov/superfund/community/tag FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET PAGE 5 ------- Next Steps/Calendar Spring 2009 (Date TBD) Late Spring 2009 Late Spring 2009 Summer/Fall 2009 Flat Creek/I MM Proposed for NPL Spring public meeting re: Sampling Community Interviews "Screening Level" Sampling Flat Creek Web Site (available after NPL proposal) http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/mt/flatcreekimm Do you have questions? Please contact us! US Environmental Protection Agency Gwen Christiansen, NPL Coordinator (303)312-6463 Toll-free: I -800-227-8917 x6463 christiansen.gwen@epa.gov Susan Mittelstadt, Project Manager (406)457-5019 mittelstadt.susan@epa.gov Diana Hammer, Community Involvement (406) 457-5040 Toll-free: 1-866-457-2690 hammer.diana@epa.gov Montana Department of Environmental Quality Daryl Reed, Project Officer (406)841-5041 dreed@mt.gov US Forest Service Bob Wintergurst, OSC (406) 329-3036 r.wintergerst@fs.fed.us FLAT CREEK/IRON MOUNTAIN MINE AND MILL SITE FACT SHEET Montana Department of ENVIRONMENTAL QuALITY PAGE 6 ------- |