For Immediate Release: 10-11-07
Contact: Lorraine Buck, 520-258-7240
Bill Auby, 520-258-7215
BLM to Host Information Meeting for Saginaw Hill Clean Up
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Tucson Field Office will host a public information meeting on October 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Harriet Johnson Elementary School, located at 6060 S. Joseph Ave. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the clean up process for the Saginaw Hill abandoned mine site located southwest of Tucson, and take questions from the public.
The mine was active from the late 1800s to the early 1900s when sulfide mining and smelting occurred at the site. The mine tailings, waste rock, and slag left over from these mining activities present a concern for human health and the environment. The objective of the clean up is to stabilize the area, minimize exposure to lead and arsenic and prevent the migration of the contaminants off the site.
In general, the clean up plans call for the contaminated materials to be consolidated into an onsite repository. The first phase of the clean up will begin at the end of October and is expected to last about three months. Additional information about the Saginaw Hill mine site is location on the BLM website at www.blm.gov/az then click on the Tucson Field Office site.
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