Feds neglect South County mine site too long
Neglect of the New Idria mine for nearly 40 years is indicative
of the larger irresponsibility by the federal government toward
such contaminated, abandoned mine sites. These sites not only pose
major public health risks, but many also were mined to support the
nation’s historical demand for war munitions – yet another reason
for federal involvement.
Feds neglect South County mine site too long
Neglect of the New Idria mine for nearly 40 years is indicative of the larger irresponsibility by the federal government toward such contaminated, abandoned mine sites. These sites not only pose major public health risks, but many also were mined to support the nation’s historical demand for war munitions – yet another reason for federal involvement.
The federal government has taken far too much of a hands-off approach toward New Idria – which scientific evidence now shows could be inflicting some pretty serious pollution into the San Francisco Bay – and an untold number of other abandoned mines throughout the nation, many in the West and California.
In other words, the federal government asked for the mess – in the case of New Idria and other mine sites used to extract mercury and other minerals for munitions – but it doesn’t necessarily want to lead the cleanup charge. At least that’s reflected in 40 years of continuous pollution at New Idria and an orange San Carlos Creek.
It appears that it requires striking, potentially catastrophic environmental damage to gain the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s attention with these abandoned mines. That was the case with New Idria, which finally has consideration for the federal Superfund cleanup list. The New Idria mine has been closed for nearly four decades and since that time has discharged mercury pollution into nearby tributaries.
It took that long for the federal government to even consider cleanup funds toward the abatement, and it probably would have taken a lot longer if the EPA hadn’t suddenly realized the mercury-ravaged waterways heading out of New Idria might be finding their way into other, larger bodies of water that affect larger populations.
Like, say, the ocean.
The neglect, unfortunately, stretches far beyond the ghost town of New Idria. As a 2008 U.S. Department of the Interior report underscored, abandoned sites throughout the country are accessible to the public and continue to pose health risks. There are an estimated 47,000 abandoned, largely unmitigated mine sites in this state alone, according to the California Department of Conservation.
It is an imposing, long-term task, but the federal government has to take more responsibility for these potential disaster zones.
New Idria might finally get a long-overdue abatement. But it is merely reflective of the federal government’s shortfalls than it is a sign of hope for a more environmentally friendly future at America’s abandoned mines.
