Draft Meeting Summary

Upper Silver Creek Watershed Stakeholders Group Meeting

February 24, 2004, 9:00-11:30

Room 209, Library and Education Center, Park City, Utah

Stakeholders and Observers Present

Muhammad Slam Utah DEQ DERR

Ann Tillia Utah DEQ DERR

John Whitehead Utah DEQ DWQ

Bob Wells Deer Valley Resort

Brent Ovard Summit County Health

Jeff Schoenbacher Park City Municipal

Jim Christiansen USEPA

Kerry Gee United Park City Mines

Julie Zamora United Park City Mines

Sally Elliot Prospector Park Homeowners/Historical Society

Tim Ingwell USBLM

Terry Snyder USBLM

Jim Mason USGS

Bryant Kimball USGS

Anne Brasher USGS

Susan Thiros USGS

Scott Miller Golder Associates

Chris Cline USFWS

Bruce Waddell USFWS

John Knudson Utah State Parks

Mike Luers Summit Water Reclamation District

Kathy Kinsman

Ken Kolm BBL, Inc.

Eugene Yan Argonne National Lab

Jim Christiansen of EPA opened the meeting sign in and a brief discussion of the agenda. There were no changes to the agenda.

Argonne Ground Water Report

Ken Kolm from Argonne National Lab and BBL, Inc. gave a final presentation on the hydrogeologic watershed modeling work done by Argonne. Ken provided a few overview slides of the hydrogeologic system, showing several ground water systems - local to regional. Ken then went through the site-specific conclusions and findings for the Marsac Mill Site, the Silver Creek Tailings Site, the Silver Maple Claims Site, and Richardson Flats. In general, the likelihood and potential severity of ground water contamination impacts (in each site’s current state, as related to contamination at each site) was considered low for Marsac Mill and Richardson Flats, while the likelihood of impacts at the Silver Creek and Silver Maple Sites was considered high. Specific recommendations were provided, which included engineering level modeling in the Silver Creek/Silver Maple area. Specifics can be found in the final report, expected to available in mid-March.

There were various questions on the Argonne report and methodology. No one indicated a desire to provide additional comments, but one additional week was left for comments.

Empire Canyon

Jim reviewed what has happened on Empire Canyon so far and what is likely to occur next. Jim explained that EPA and UPCM signed an Administrative Order on Consent for UPCM to conduct cleanup in Empire Canyon beginning this spring. The cleanup decision and requirements are set forth in an action memo published by EPA last fall. UPCM has been working closely with PCMC to work out some specific issues for the cleanup. This has culminated in a draft work plan that UPCM recently submitted to PCMC, EPA, and UDEQ for review. Following approval of this work plan, work can begin. One of the biggest issues is the location of a “repository” for contaminated materials requiring relocation or removal.

Kerry explained that work will involve recontouring and capping some areas of mine waste dumps, cleaning up and reworking sections of stream bed, and covering or rerouting recreational trails. Work is scheduled in three phases, covering three construction seasons, moving generally downstream in the canyon. Several options for disposal are still being considered.

Silver Maple Claims

Jim explained that EPA, PCMC, DEQ, BLM, and USGS met the day prior to discuss the USGS Tracer Study, the Silver Creek Tailings drain pipe, and the Silver Maple Claims. This area of loading is of concern, particularly the drain pipe. PCMC presented some concerns with the USGS report and those were discussed. Jeff explained that PCMC is currently collecting monthly samples of the drain pipe to better quantify the seasonality of the flow and loads. PCMC is also still considering some passive treatment options for the drain pipe and has a window of opportunity for conducting this work when the Prospector Park is renovated this summer. PCMC would like support from EPA and DEQ on this option before they proceed much further. The organizations involved in the meeting will continue to work toward solutions for these sites. Jim stated that archival of Silver Creek Tailings from CERCLIS is generally not linked to the drain pipe issue, and that Superfund will likely not be a good candidate or program to deal with the drain.

Terry Snyder from BLM gave a brief review of actions BLM has conducted at Silver Maple. These include the USGS Tracer Study, which will be final within days. BLM also conducted various other investigations including a macroinvertebrate study. BLM has a draft Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for cleanup of the Silver Maple site, but will likely revisit some of the options given the discussion at the prior meeting. BLM also addressed a “hot spot” near the rail trail to prevent human exposure.

There were various questions and discussions regarding the USGS Tracer Study and the drain pipe.

Richardson Flats

Jim explained that the Superfund decision process for Richardson is coming to an end. EPA has finished with the draft ecological risk assessment, which several stakeholders now have for review. The ecological and human health risk assessments, remedial investigation reports, feasibility study reports will all come together in a Record of Decision (ROD) for the site, which will set forth cleanup requirements. EPA is working on a draft ROD now, expects it to be complete in a month or two, and there are formal public involvement requirements associated with it.

Kerry also explained that part of the feasibility study is determining future land use. UPCM and their partners are continuing to look at strictly recreational uses, including a golf course.

Ecological risk assessment was discussed, specifically that EPA and UPCM agreed to forgo additional risk assessment in the wetland area below the impoundment and simply agree that cleanup was required, working out the details later.

TMDL

After a break, John Whitehead gave a presentation on the Silver Creek TMDL, which is now available in draft form on the DEQ website. John discussed sampling data, load reductions required in certain sections to achieve water quality standards, and cleanup possibilities. John explained that much of the TMDL calls for evaluating potential cleanup options in a “Superfund” style. This would mean characterizing the sites well and conducting feasibility studies to determine what type of cleanup is possible and best suited for the conditions. This is not the norm in TMDLs. John explained that one of the biggest areas of concern is lower Silver Creek, where the large volume of tailings is a significant loading source and problematic. Costs to remove all of the tailings could be more than $100M.

USGS will be conducting a tracer study of lower Silver Creek this spring.

There were various questions and discussions regarding TMDL, especially regarding lower Silver Creek.

USFWS Data

Lastly, Chris Cline from USFWS gave a summary of preliminary results from sampling conducted through Silver Creek. Chris stressed that the results were preliminary and they have not done much interpretation of the data. She explained how and where samples were collected. The data confirmed several other findings, showing contaminated water (zinc, cadmium, and lead) and highly contaminated sediments (many metals, especially lead and zinc) throughout upper and lower Silver Creek. Levels of mercury and selenium, bioaccumulating metals, were also elevated. Fish tissue samples in a variety of species also showed elevated levels of metals.

Jim wrapped up the meeting and stated he would send out a summary for review, and future meetings would be scheduled via email