Tag Archives: Animas River

Spill controversy flows on: EPA rejects request for $6 million for spring-runoff preparedness plan

Farmington, N.M. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rejected a request of roughly $6 million for a “Spring Runoff Preparedness Plan” developed in response to last fall’s disastrous Gold King Mine spill into the Animas River. The denial was … Continue reading

Published in May 2016 Tagged ,

Moving forward with clean-up: Silverton, San Juan County seek Superfund status in wake of spill

Six months after the release of 3 million gallons of wastewater from the Gold King Mine into a tributary of the Animas River, vested interest groups are working to determine the best plan for moving forward. “It’s been six months … Continue reading

Published in March 2016 Tagged ,

Next steps for the Animas: Superfund status remains a controversial idea, but cleanup efforts continue

A little more than two months after the Gold King Mine discharged 3 million gallons of acidic drainage into Cement Creek, the Animas River, and eventually the San Juan River, affected communities are still trying to decide what to do … Continue reading

Published in October 2015 Tagged ,

Spill will have long-term impacts, officials say

By Gail Binkly Long-term impacts are expected from the spill of more than 1 million gallons of toxic mining waste into the Animas River on Aug. 5. “We anticipate as this plume moves downstream, the sediment will settle out and … Continue reading

Published in August 2015 Tagged , ,

Notes from a disaster: Part 2

Commentary by Janneli F. Miller Aug 7/8 midnight I can’t sleep. the spill haunts me. I close my eyes only to see that hideous orange-yellow river in my brain imagery. I am obsessed with knowing all that I can, & … Continue reading

Published in August 2015 Tagged , ,

Notes from an environmental disaster: The Animas River contamination

By Janneli F. Miller Thursday afternoon, Aug. 6 4 p.m. I’m just above the 33rd St put-in in Animas City. The Gold King Mine clean-up near Silverton has gone awry & at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, a toxic sludge of mining … Continue reading

Published in August 2015 Tagged , ,

Animas River closed to recreation because of spill

The Animas River has been closed to all watercraft as of 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, because of the contamination of the Animas River from a spill of mining waste. La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith issued an order pursuant … Continue reading

Published in August 2015 Tagged , ,