EPA proposes to add Nevada's Anaconda mine site in Lyon County to National Priorities List

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it is moving forward with the process to list a portion of the old Anaconda Copper Mine site in Lyon County to its National Priorities List. The announcement is the first step in a process to make the site eligible to receive federal funding for a long-term, permanent cleanup.

Lyon County has been opposed to the listing since 2001. Lyon County has worked closely with the Governor’s Office, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the EPA to ensure that the process to list and receive funding is enhanced so that cleanup of the site can be addressed.

Lyon County Manager Jeff Page said the change in stance is due to the fact that the project is a near shovel ready project. Unlike many other sites in the nation the majority of the required testing and research has been completed by NDEP and EPA. Lyon County supports a quick and effective cleanup operation and anticipates a strong working relationship with EPA, NDEP, BLM, Yerington Paiute Tribe and local businesses and citizens.

The EPA announcement did not come as a surprise for many as Lyon County has been in discussion with the various agencies and stakeholders for several months, said Page. Lyon County has been assured there is no immediate health risk to the community and realizes that this the most efficient manner to ensure the site is cleaned.

Lyon County is cautiously optimistic that this listing will bring closure to this chapter of history, said Page.

See the original news release below:

(SAN FRANCISCO) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is proposing to add the Anaconda Copper Mine site in Lyon County, Nev., to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List. Today’s proposal is the first step in a process to make the site eligible to receive federal funding for a long-term, permanent cleanup.

“We have been working to address the contamination at the Anaconda Mine since 2001,” said Alexis Strauss, EPA’s Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “EPA welcomes public input on the proposal and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work with BLM, the State of Nevada and local officials, tribal governments and the Lyon County community.”

“This public notice in the Federal Register is an anticipated next step in the process to secure federal funds to help with remediation of the Anaconda mine site,” said Kay Scherer, Interim Director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “We are pleased to see that the site – which remains fully under control – has been recognized and included on the list of proposed national priorities, as it demonstrates that the U.S. EPA acknowledges the site is on track to proceed with corrective action.”

“The BLM agrees with both EPA and the State that the site warrants attention,” said John Ruhs, Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Director. “The BLM looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the EPA and the State of Nevada on this issue.”

The State, EPA and potentially responsible parties have made significant progress in studying, characterizing and in some instances, cleaning up portions of the Anaconda Copper Mine site. Listing the site will allow access to funding, and development of a comprehensive plan to address the contamination.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the law establishing the Superfund program, requires EPA to update the NPL at least annually and clean up hazardous waste sites to protect human health with the goal of returning them to productive use. The Superfund program has provided important benefits for people and the environment since Congress established the program in 1980. Those benefits are both direct and indirect, and include reduction of threats to human health and ecological systems in the vicinity of Superfund sites, improvement of the economic conditions and quality of life in communities affected by hazardous waste sites, prevention of future releases of hazardous substances, and advances in science and technology.

For Federal Register notices and supporting documents for the final and proposed sites go here.

Go here for additional documentation, and here for information about Superfund.