The Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on abandoned mill remediation project near Quartzsite
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QUARTZSITE, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Yuma Field Office invites the public to provide input on a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) remediation project at the abandoned Moon Mountain Mill site, located on BLM-managed public land near Quartzsite in La Paz County.
The mill processed ore from area mines for about four decades, from approximately 1860 until 1900. Operation of the mill began again in 1989 and ceased permanently four years later in 1992. The BLM conducted emergency removal of approximately 1,500 cubic yards of lead and arsenic contaminated ore and tailings piles in 2003. In 2008, the BLM removed an additional 716 tons of tailings to address metals in soil at the site. In 2018, soil sampling indicated concentrations of arsenic, mercury, and lead exceeding Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s non-residential soil standards that remained in soil and dry wash sediment at the site. No groundwater contamination has been detected.
In 2019, the BLM contracted ECM Consultant's Phoenix-based office to evaluate the site. ECM has completed a Draft Final Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EECA) to determine alternatives to remediate the contamination at the site.
A public comment period on the EECA will be open for a period of 30 calendar days from July 13 to Aug. 11, 2020. Copies of the draft EECA will be available for public review and commenting through BLM’s ePlanning website. If you prefer to receive a hard copy, please contact the BLM’s Yuma Field Office at 928-317-3200. Comments may also be mailed to the Yuma Field Office, 7341 E. 30th Street, Suite A, Yuma, AZ 85365. All comments must be received online or postmarked by August 11, 2020 to be considered in the final decision.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.