Projects by Discipline / Environmental Science

Eagle Mine Superfund Site

The Eagle Mine Superfund Site is located in Eagle County Colorado. The site was included on the Superfund National Priorities List primarily because of extensive heavy metals contamination to the Eagle River originating from numerous roaster piles, tailings piles, waste rock piles and the mine itself. The Eagle Mine Superfund Site has been especially controversial because of its close proximity to the Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Areas and the Holy Cross Wilderness, placing it in the heart of one of Colorado's most popular summer and winter recreation areas.

The Eagle River Environmental and Business Alliance (EREBA) is composed of citizens, environmental organizations, businesses and local governments. EREBA was formed in response to concerns that remediation efforts at the Eagle Mine had resulted in higher levels of metals contamination to the Eagle River and that changes in the Remedial Action Plan would be required to achieve a successful cleanup. The goal of EREBA has been to work with the appropriate regulatory agencies and the owners of the mine toward implementation of measures that will insure a successful and cost-effective cleanup.

Hydrosphere was retained by EREBA to provide technical support in conjunction with proposals to modify the Eagle Mine Remedial Action Plan. Hydrosphere's efforts on the Eagle Mine have been focused upon the review of the Feasibility Study.