Abandoned Mine Lands Case Study
Mining operations began in 1858 and
ended in 1993
Five mills and at least eight mines are
located along the banks of Lefthand Creek
EPA, Colorado, and Boulder County are
coordinating detailed investigations,
communications, and cleanup efforts
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE) released a
comprehensive community involvement
plan in July 2004
OVER 100 YEARS of mining activities in the mountains
outside of Boulder, Colorado have resulted in heavy metal
and other mining-related contamination scattered throughout the
Lefthand Creek watershed. When the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) approached the potentially impacted communities in 1999
about the possibility of a Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)
designation in order to fund necessary cleanup activities, a significant
controversy arose among local governments and the public. As illustrated
in several front page articles in local newspapers at the time, little public
support existed for an NPL designation for part or all of the contamination.
In response, EPA funded the Boulder County Health Department (BCHD),
through a grant to the Colorado Department of Environmental Quality
(CDEQ), to create a community-based task force to explore alternatives to
an NPL designation as well as to inform the impacted communities on
Superfund and other cleanup options. During its research into cleanup
options, the task force convened meetings between EPA and community
stakeholders. Following recommendations by the watershed task force and
a public opinion turnaround, Captain Jack Mill was proposed to the NPL in
April 2003 with community support. In addition, a corporation has begun a
voluntary cleanup for part of the watershed and the U.S. Forest Service
(USFS) has plans to begin similar efforts.
November 3, 2003
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Lefthand Creek Watershed Case Study;
Use of NPL as Catalyst for Abandoned Mine Cleanup
Lefthand Creek Mining History
The Lefthand Creek watershed covers approximately 85
square miles and lies in north central Colorado on the
eastern slope of the front range of the Rocky Mountains,
northwest of Boulder, Colorado. Although many
intermittent streams exist throughout the watershed,
Lefthand, James, and Little James creeks are the only
perennial streams. Little James Creek flows into James
Creek, which drains into Lefthand Creek. Combined, the
basin discharges approximately 28,840 acre-feet
annually.
The Captain Jack mining district is located in the
Lefthand Creek drainage area. Mining began in the
watershed soon after European settlement in the late
1850s and continued through the latter half of the 20th
century. In the 19th century, Boulder County and the
Lefthand Creek area was one of the richest gold and silver
from low-grade sulfide ores. In addition, tungsten, copper,
processed along Lefthand, James, and Little James creeks,
and 186 tailings piles in the Lefthand Creek watershed.
As early as 1863, there
were conflicts over
approbation and
contamination of Lefthand
Creek water supply.
Lefthand Creek was
considered a dead creek in
the 1930s, unable to
support fish until natural
attenuation cleaned
portions of the creek by the middle of the 20th century.
Several segments of the stream remain impacted today. Little
James Creek and Lefthand Creek are listed on the state of
Colorado's 303(d) list of impaired water bodies for not
Old mine workings near the lower end of the Captain . . ,.,, ,, , ,
Jack Mine. Lefthand Creek runs on the opposite side of supporting aquatic life and both creeks are listed with a high
the pile shown in this picture, at the base of the hill. priority for total maximum daily load (TMDL) development.
Major Mines and Mills in Region
• Burlington Mine
• Big Five Mine
• Captain Jack Mine and Mill
• Slide Mine and Mill
• Conqueror Mine and Mill
• White Raven Mine and Mill
' Golden Age Mine and Mill
• Bueno Mine and Mill
In the mid 1960s, BCHD discovered high sulfate and metal concentrations in discharge from the Burlington
mine on Little James Creek. Several minor actions were initiated, including sampling investigations and the
addition of settling ponds in order to mitigate the contamination; however, no major actions were undertaken
Foetfcilii Highway
L-fiham! Crack
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E'Ufecjd
Lejlhand Cw*
Fr*k:» feak
producing regions in the country, mining the metals
fluorspar, and uranium deposits were mined and
This extensive mining resulted in 230 mine openings
CoHwy n
South Footfalls Highway
Map of water sources and towns in study area.
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November 3, 2003
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Lefthand Creek Watershed Case Study;
Use of NPL as Catalyst for Abandoned Mine Cleanup
Portions of the Burlington Mine and Little James Creek are on federal land
owned by the USFS.
Currently, Lefthand Creek is the primary drinking water supply for over 14,000
people. The potential exists for metals to enter drinking water supplies via surface
water or groundwater migration. EPA conducted an expanded site investigation
(ESI) in 1998 and 2000. Approximately 50 percent of the samples collected by
EPA exceeded the drinking water criteria for iron and 33 percent exceeded the
drinking water criteria for manganese.
Public Involvement: Moving from Skepticism to Decisions
Upper and Imver portions of
Slide Mine waste area.
I^th^ ^199^ ^d^Colorado^ I)epartmen^ of^^Hc Health
Acidic pond at foot of bright white fluorite waste Kettelaper, Joe Vranka with ("DPI IE, and Mark Williams with
from Burlington Mine. BCHD took a hands-on approach by personally getting to know
community members and understanding their concerns. These
meetings focused on education and outreach illustrating the extent and history of the problem, as well as
discussing cleanup options.
In response to community concerns, EPA delayed site listing in June 2001.
This delay allowed EPA to strengthen its communications and interactions
with the public and gave the community time to research the magnitude of
the contamination and explore cleanup options.
In July 2001, EPA funded the Boulder County's Environmental Health
Program, via CDPHE, to conduct community and partnership efforts
involving Lefthand Creek watershed. BCHD facilitated the formation of the
Lefthand Watershed Task Force whose mission was to assess existing
environmental and health data related to the Lefthand Creek watershed and
determine if a cleanup action was needed and, if necessary, evaluate cleanup
options and recommend the preferred option to the Boulder County Board of
Health. EPA's Region 8 Technical Outreach Services to Communities
(TOSC) provided an independent study summary to identify the size and
levels of impacts and possible pros and cons of cleanup under Superfund.
Flow from pond downstream of
Burlington mine. Thisflmvs into
James Creek.
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November 3, 2003
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Lefthand Creek Watershed Case Study;
Use of NPL as Catalyst for Abandoned Mine Cleanup
Public Involvement: Encouraging Community-Based Cleanup Decisions
In March 2002, the Lefthand Watershed Task Force
presented their findings and recommendations to Boulder
County. These findings and recommendations included:
Establishing a Watershed Oversight Group (WOG) to
serve as a hub for communication and information
throughout the Lefthand Creek watershed;
Pursuing further assessment and remediation using the
Superfund NPL for the Captain Jack Mill; and
Pursuing further assessment using alternatives to
Superfund throughout the remainder of the Lefthand
Creek watershed and the communities of Rowena and
Jamestown.
After presenting findings and recommendations to Boulder
County and EPA, the Lefthand Watershed Task Force fulfilled
Old mine workings near the lower end of the Captain
Jack Mine. Lefthand Creek runs on the opposite side of
the pile shown in this picture, at the base of the hill.
its charge and disbanded.
Acting on the community recommendations,
EPA proposed the Captain Jack Mill to the
NPL in April 2003. No negative comments
were received by EPA during the NPL public
comment period.
As recommended by the Lefthand Watershed
Task Force, a new stakeholder group, the
Lefthand Watershed Oversight Group was
formed to develop a watershed plan to direct
future efforts at cleaning up mine wastes. In
the summer of 2003, the Lefthand Watershed
Oversight Group was awarded two years of
funding ($25,000) through the state's
Nonpoint Source Council.
Funding as Result of NPL
Leverage
View from the tailings pile associated with Upper Captain Jack and Big
Five Mine and Mill. Tailings pond is at the center of the photo, with an
acidic stream of drainage flowing from the foreground. Lefthand Creek is
to the left of the photo and converges with the pond drainage just downhill
from the pond
Several studies and cleanup activities are underway throughout the Lefthand Creek watershed, partly as a result
of the NPL listing. These include:
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November 3, 2003
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Lefthand Creek Watershed Case Study;
Use of NPL as Catalyst for Abandoned Mine Cleanup
Remedial Investigation funding became available in 2003
for Captain Jack Mill.
A Voluntary Cleanup began summer of 2003 at Burlington
Mine, Jamestown. Honeywell Corporation will spend
about $1.5 million to prevent water from contacting the
waste rock at the Burlington Mine.
USFS will begin non-time critical removals in areas
around Jamestown, Colorado.
A CWA 319 grant was awarded to develop and implement
state Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution management
programs and to maximize the focus of such programs for
Lefthand Creek watershed.
Detail of revegetation study area at Burlington Mine.
TMDL funds are available for resolving non-point source
problems in section 303(d)-listed water bodies.
A One Cleanup Program pilot grant of $38,000 was awarded to the Captain Jack Mill/Lefthand Creek
cleanup efforts.
Use as National Model
Over 52.4 percent of Boulder County residents over 25 years of age have a bachelor's degree, compared to the
national average of 24.4 percent. The educated population took an active role in both questioning the need for
cleanup and exploring cleanup options while professors
from local universities provided needed expertise and input
to the task force. In addition, the median value of owner-
occupied housing units in the county was $241,900 in 2000,
compared to $119,600 for the national average. The high
cost of housing and development potential may have
induced the local governments and the citizens to explore
cleanup options that could both protect home values and
assure risks to human health and the environment are
addressed. Such factors could alter the outcome of similar
community involvement projects in other abandoned mining
sites across the country.
Revegetation study area on waste rock/tailings at
Burlington Mine.
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November 3, 2003
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Lefthand Creek Watershed Case Study:
Use of NPL as Catalyst for Abandoned Mine Cleanup
Main References
C. Barge. EPA puts Superfund on Hold. Daily Camera. June 27, 2001. 1 page.
EPA Region 8 letter to Sen. Allard. Re: Delaying proposal of Captain Jack Mill to NPL. Undated. 1 page.
Lefthand Watershed Task Force. Final Report to the Boulder County Board of Health. March 11, 2002. 114 pages.
M. Whaley. Tiny Towns Seek Superfund Delay. Denver Post. June 20, 2001. 1 page.
Lefthand Creek watershed Map. 1 page.
Lefthand Watershed Task Force meeting notes 8/2001-1/2002.
HRS package and references for Captain Jack Mill NPL proposal. April 2003.
1998 ESI Captain Jack Mill (June 1997 sampling) EPA Contract No. 68-W5-0031, TDD 9609-0008
1998 ESI Golden Age Mine (Sept/Oct 1997 sampling) EPA Contract No. 68-W5-0031, TDD 9704-0017
Field Sampling Plan for SI Captain Jack/Left Hand Creek Watershed (June 2000 sampling) EPA Contract No. 68-W5-
0031, TDD 9906-0007
Interviews with EPA Region 8 staff, Lefthand Creek Water District staff, and others.
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November 3, 2003
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