SUPERFUND
Cleaning Up New England
SITE UPDATE
ElvMine
md Site
U.S. EPA | HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM AT EPA NEW ENGLAND
THE SUPERFUND PROGRAM protects human health
and the environment by investigating and cleaning up often-abandoned
hazardous waste sites and engaging communities throughout the process.
Many of these sites are complex and need long-term cleanup actions.
Those responsible for contamination are held liable for cleanup costs.
EPA strives to return previously contaminated land and groundwater
to productive use.
INTRODUCTION:
EPA has completed the investigation program for the Ely Mine Superfund Site. In 2011, EPA will release a series of
reports summarizing the results of the investigations as well as the deanup options for the Site. The proposed cleanup
plan for the Ely Mine is expected to be presented to the community in June 2011,
LOCATION AND HISTORY
OF ELY MINE:
The Ely Copper Mine lies between the Elizabeth and Pike
Hill mines and is located on the south side of Dwight Hill
in the Town of Vershire, Vermont The Ety Mine is one of
the Orange County Copper Mines that are part of a mining
district that is considered eligible for the National Register of
Historic Races,
Investigation Program:
EPA began collecting data at the Ely Mine in 2000. The field
investigations spanned 6 years from 2004 through 2010,
Investigation activities included:
• Collection and analysis of samples from surface
water, sediment, soil, groundwatcr, soil
invertebrates, small mammals, and fish;
• Installation of wells to monitorirg the groundwater;
* Test pits and borings to asses the depth of waste and
geologic conditions at the Site;
• Biological surveys offish, benthic invertebrates, and
amphibians; and
• ToxJdty testing of the sedments, surface water, and soil.
MAJOR FINDINGS:
The preliminary findings of the investigation program are:
• Mine wastes at the Ely M'ne are re-easing low
pH leachatc containing high fewds of several
metals (particularly aluminum, cadmium, cobalt,
rapper, iron, manganese, and zinc) into tie
surface water anc groundwater, This a process
commonly referred to as acid rock drainage;
• The levels of several metals in the add rode drainage
are toxic to Ish and other aquatc organisms;
• Erosion of waste material has resulted in the
accumulation of mine waste in By Brook and in
portions of Schodhouse Brook at concentrations that
may be toxic to benthic organisms;
• Groundwater beneath and adjacent to several of tie
mine waste areas contains elevated levels of cadmium,
cobalt, copper, and manganese;
• A sign rficant portion of Ely Brook along with
Schoolhouse Brook from the confluence with Ely
Brook to the Ompompanoosuc Rh/er fails Vermont
Water Quality Standards; and
• Thesurface water in the lower two beaver ponds has
been found to be tcwc to amphibians.
NEXT STEPS:
Five reports will be released to the community prior to the
issuance of the cleanup plan for comment. Four of these
reports: the Remedial Investigation Report; Human Health
Risk Assessment; Aquatic Ecological Risk Assessment and
Terrestrial Eco ogical Risk assessment will identify the contami-
nants of concern as well as current and future potential threats
to human health and the environment. A fourth resort, the
Rsasibility Study, will present information regarding the devel-
opment and evaluation of the options to mitigate the impacts
to human health and the environment. Each option is evalu-
atec using a series of criteria to assess the degree to which
i: can achieve the deanup objectives and comply wth federal
and state regulations.
KEY CONTACTS:
EDWARD HATHAWAY
EPA New England
Project Manager
(617) 918-1372
hathaway.ed@epa.gov
LINDA ELLIOTT
Vermont DEC
Project Manager
(802) 241-3897
linde.clliott@statc.vt. us
GENERAL INFO:
EPA NEW ENGLAND
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1111
www.epa.gov/region1/
EPA TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-888-EPA-7341
LEARN MORE AT:
www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/
sites/ely
United States
Environmental Protection
k Agency
9 printed on 100% recycled papor, with a minimum of 50% posJ^onsumer waste, using vegetable bcisgd inks
December 2010
SDMS DocID 485661
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