Oops #2 - Mine Wastes, Acids, Rainwater Rumble Into Nevada Creek

[hatrack]

The federal official overseeing cleanup of Leviathan Mine said he hopes the recent overflow of acid mine drainage into a tributary of the Carson River is the last at the toxic site west of Topaz Lake.

"Our hope is that this year may be the last year this happens, but we don't know for sure," said Kevin Mayer, project manager for the Environmental Protection Agency. "This episode should bring the message to people that Leviathan Mine is not fixed," Mayer said Friday. "The problem is still ongoing, especially during the winter when we don't have the capability to treat the acid mine drainage. It's important to get year-round treatment up there."

The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board reported Thursday that a combination of acid mine drainage and rainwater stored in ponds at the mine site in Alpine County started overflowing into Leviathan Creek. The drainage is a dilute sulfuric solution with arsenic, copper, nickel, aluminum and iron.

The California board advised people in the area to avoid human and animal contact with the waters of the Leviathan and Bryant creeks and avoid fish from those waters until the overflow is evaluated.

EDIT

http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20060416/News/104160006