Pine Creek AML Project
Pine Creek is located just south of Pinehurst in Northern Idaho’s historic Silver Valley. Most of the sites are located along the East Fork of Pine Creek within the Pine Creek watershed. This watershed encompasses an area of approximately 80 miles and includes the area commonly referred to as the Pine Creek Mining District, a subdivision of the larger Coeur d’Alene Mining District known as the “Silver Valley.” The Coeur d’Alene Mining District has been one of the largest metal producing areas of the United States and the largest silver-producing district in the world. The Pine Creek District covers a lead-zinc area of approximately 500 heavily mineralized lode-mining claims. From the early 1900s to the late 1970s, ore was processed in the Pine Creek District by nine separate flotation mills.
Seven abandoned or inactive mill and mine sites in the Pine Creek watershed are located either partially or entirely on public lands administered by BLM within the Pine Creek watershed. During the winter of 1995-96, several old mine and mill sites and stream segments in the Pine Creek drainage were severely damaged by flooding. BLM received flood repair and protection funding to remove tailings that were in imminent danger of flood erosion and to rehabilitate stream channels. This funding provided the opportunity to investigate and begin cleanup actions at many AML sites within the watershed. Preliminary investigations indicated that areas in and adjacent to the mill and mine sites were contaminated with heavy metals. Lead, zinc, cadmium, and arsenic are the contaminants of concern in Pine Creek. The widespread distribution and toxic properties of these metals has the potential of adverse effects to fish, wildlife, and humans.
For additional information regarding this project, contact the area specialist or call the BLM Coeur d’Alene Field Office at (208) 769-5000.
Facts
Location
- South of Pinehurst, Idaho
History
- First rich lead-silver ore discovered 1886
- One of the world’s largest producers of lead and zinc
- Major mines include the Liberal King, Amy-Matchless, Constitution, Nabob, Sidney, Highland-Surprise, Little Pittsburg and Hilarity Mines
Impacts
- Drainage area of 80 square miles
- Over 156,000 feet of underground mine workings
- Over 260,000 cubic yards of waste rock was excavated and deposited in streamside waste dumps
- Erosion of stream banks
- Large scale flooding
Risks
- Water quality
- High metals-laden tailings
- Open mines
- Flora and fauna
Actions
- Flood plain stabilization
- Mine tailings removed
- Mine openings closed and gated for bat habitat
- Revegetation of area
