Location (State, UTM, Lat/Long, T/R/Sec.): Township 7 S., Range 43 E., Section 32, Willamette Meridian. Latitude 44 55' 01" N, Longitude 117 28' 25 " W.

Type of Site: Copper Mine - Underground workings w/shafts (head frame), adits, waste and tailing piles, holding pond, and processing mill site situated next to the creek.

Site Description: The Poorman/Balm Creek AML site is located 19.5 miles north, 62 degrees east of Baker, OR. It is an abandoned copper mine located on BLM land, with workings located in Balm Creek and Slide Creek.  Disturbance includes a shaft with head frame, collapsed adits and air shafts, foundation of millsite, large processed tailings and waste rock piles, and a holding pond.  Some of the workings are located within an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Research Natural Area. A site assessment indicates heavy metals are present (primarily copper) in contaminated soils in the processed waste piles and holding pond. Heavy metals are migrating into Balm Creek and endangering aquatic life.

Site characterization was conducted in phases. The first work was conducted on September 22, 2000 and consisted of an X-Ray Fluoresence spectrometer survey of the surficial metals concentrations and collection of the low-flow surface water samples.  A second round of water sampling occurred during spring runoff April 18, 2001.  The final sampling occurred on June 26, 2001.  Samples collected had laboratory metal analyses performed.

In late October 2001, a small earthen diversion structure was built above and adjacent to the lower holding pond.  The diversion structure eliminates spring runoff and high flows from entering the holding pond.  De-watering the holding pond will aid future removal of mine tailings.  Also, a trench was cut through the berm on the upper holding pond (large spoil of processed mine tailings) at the Balm Creek mine site.  Cutting this trench eliminates localized runoff from accumulating in the pond.

An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis was conducted by the BLM in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency document "Guidance on Conducting Non-Time Critical Removal Actions Under CERCLA," and public meetings were held in FY2002.  Implementation of on-the-ground removal action is anticipated pending funding.

Links:

Poorman Mine and Balm Creek Shaft Map (GIF)

Poorman/Balm Creek Mine Site, Baker County, Oregon Fact Sheet (PDF)

Community Relations Plan (PDF)

Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) (PDF)

EE/CA Tables 1-11 (PDF)

EE/CA Tables 12-14 (PDF)

Poorman/Balm Creek Mine Site Water Sampling and Analysis Report (PDF)

Geologic Characterization (PDF)