ftfiESTSERV^'
Ballard,	Henry, and E
Phosphate Mine Site
Investigations in Southeast Idaho
Investigations to assess potential impacts of phosphate
mining on human health and the environment have been
ongoing in southeast Idaho since 1996. Investigations at P4
Production, LLC's (P4's) historic Ballard, Henry, and Enoch
Valley mines, collectively referred to as the P4 sites, were
performed between 2004 and 2009 as part of an investigation
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compen-
sation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). Since then, envi-
ronmental monitoring has been ongoing at the sites.
In 2009, P4 entered into a voluntary agreement with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Idaho
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Department
of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of the
Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Shoshone-
Bannock Tribes to conduct a more thorough remedial investi-
gation and feasibility study (RI/FS) at each of the P4 sites.
Project Location
The P4 mine sites are located approximately 12 to 19 miles
north-northeast of the city of Soda Springs in southeast Idaho
and are on lands that are a mix of private and public owner-
ship with much of the land privately owned.
Site Background
The P4 sites were mined for phosphate ore between 1951 and
2004. The Ballard Mine is the oldest of the three mines being
addressed in the RI/FS and was mined from 1951 to 1969. The
Henry Mine was active between 1969 and 1989, and the
Enoch Valley Mine was active between 1989 and 2004.
P4's other mines in the district are not included in this project.
The primary contaminant of concern in the area is selenium,
which is widely present in most rocks and soils. Mining prac-
tices bring selenium-bearing rocks and soils to the surface,
which significantly accelerates the physical and chemical
breakdown of the waste rock and makes selenium and other
contaminants more easily released into the environment. Sele-
nium is a necessary micro-nutrient for humans, livestock, and
wildlife; however, elevated levels can be harmful. Selenium
has been detected at elevated levels in soil, water, and plants
on and near phosphate mines in southeast Idaho.
In 1996, several horses were diagnosed with high levels of
selenium. Other incidents involving sheep and cattle have
December 2012
occurred since 1996, including the loss of 95 sheep in 2012.
Until more permanent remedies are in place, access to the area
has been limited with signs and fences.
Previous Investigations
Following the diagnosis of the horses in 1996, investigations
to assess potential impacts of phosphate mining on human
health and the environment began in southeast Idaho. These
investigations were conducted on a regional (or area-wide)
basis, involving numerous phosphate mines in southeast
Idaho, until approximately 2004 when the investigations
began focusing on specific mines. An area-wide human health
and ecological risk assessment was performed by DEQ in
2002 using the data collected throughout the region. The
findings of that risk assessment can be found at:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/rl0/cleanup.nsf7sites/p4mines.
RI/FS
The objectives of the RI/FS are to: (1) determine the nature
and extent of contamination and any threat to human health or
the environment caused by the release or potential release of
contaminants from the sites; and (2) determine and evaluate
alternatives for a remedial action to address the release or
potential release of contaminants from the sites.
Soda Springs
Enoch
Valley
Mine
Blackfoot
Reservoir
Henry
Mine

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The RI/FS process includes:
•	Field investigation
•	Sample analysis and validation
•	Data evaluation
•	Risk assessment
•	Treatability studies and pilot testing
•	Remedial alternative development
and screening
•	Feasibility study reporting
•	Community involvement.
Status
The Ballard Mine RI/FS work plan was
completed in 2011. This is a required
planning document that presents the
background, methods, and procedures
for conducting the RI/FS. The RI/FS
work plan is available in the Administra-
tive Record.
Field investigation work at Ballard Mine
has been completed, although some
ongoing monitoring will continue. A
study was initiated in 2011 at the Bal-
lard site to test and evaluate a treatment
method to remove selenium from con-
taminated water. The method is a semi-
passive treatment system that involves
piping water into a series of tanks (or
bio-reactors) where bacteria remove
selenium from the water. This study is
on-going, but initial results appear
promising.
During the next year, a remedial investi-
gation report, including a risk assess-
ment and site characterization, will be
completed for Ballard Mine, and a
feasibility study will be conducted to
evaluate cleanup alternatives. Once the
Ballard RI/FS is complete, the agencies
will propose a cleanup plan, seek input
from the public, and then select a
cleanup alternative. (The graphic below
summarizes the CERCLA process.)
Following Ballard Mine, the process
will continue for the Henry Mine and
then the Enoch Valley Mine.
Community Involvement
In 2008 and 2009, community inter-
views were conducted to determine
community interest and areas of concern
regarding selenium issues in southeast
Idaho. A Community Involvement Plan
was issued in 2010 and updated in 2012.
Along with the project work plans and
reports, the Community Involvement
Plan is available online at
http://yosemite.epa.gov/rlO/cleanup.nsf/
sites/p4mines and in the Administrative
Record (see sidebar for locations).
Future work plans and project reports
will be available to the public as they
are developed. Public meetings will be
scheduled, as needed, and the following
representative from the EPA is available
to discuss ongoing work:
Dave Tomten
EPA Idaho Operations Office
1435 North Orchard Street
Boise, ID 83706
(208)378-5763
tomten.dave@epa.gov
Administrative Record and
Information Repository
Required by CERCLA, a project
Administrative Record is the collec-
tion of documents that forms the basis
for selecting a response action at an
environmental restoration site.
CERCLA also requires that informa-
tion developed, received, or published
related to response actions be avail-
able for public inspection and copy-
ing at an Information Repository at or
near the sites.
The Administrative Record and Infor-
mation Repository for the P4 mine
sites are available for public review at
the following locations:
Soda Springs Library
149 South Main Street
Soda Springs, ID 83276
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Library
Tribal Business Center
HRDC Building
Pima Drive and Bannock Ave.
Fort Hall, ID 83203
EPA Region 10 Office
1435 North Orchard Street
Boise, ID 83706
IDEQ Pocatello Regional Office
444 Hospital Way #300
Pocatello, ID 83201
Public Comment
Site
Discovery
Preliminary Site
Characterization
Remedial Feasibility
Investigation Study
Proposed
Plan
Remedy
Selection
Remedial
Design
Remedial Operation &
Action Maintenance
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Record of
Decision
Remedial Design/
Remedial Action
1
RI/FS
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