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Mine cleanup to be complete by October
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| H&N photo by Steve Kadel Workers remove old materials from the Mazama High School roof Monday in preparation for repairing the facility. Henris Roofing and Supply of Klamath County has the roof contract. |
September 12, 2006
LAKEVIEW - It's taken more than 40 years, but work to clean up two former uranium mines near Lakeview should be complete by October.
“They're moving along well,” said Bill Adams, project manager for the federal Environmental Protection Agency. “It's been a good season.”
Work being done at the former White King and Lucky Lass mine sites about 17 miles northwest of Lakeview started last summer. The mines are about a mile apart on private and Fremont-Winema National Forests lands.
$8 million project
The $8-million clean-up is being paid by Tronox, an independent, publicly traded company that spun off from Kerr-McGee in March. Tronox and Kerr-McGee are successors to the Lakeview Mining Company, formed by Lakeview-area residents in the 1950s to conduct mining activities.
Mining in the Lake County region began in 1955 when the federal government needed uranium for military defense purposes. Uranium production was controlled and exclusively used by the Atomic Energy Commission, the predecessor to the U.S. Department of Energy, to build the nation's nuclear arsenal for national defense.
Between 1955 and the mid-1960s, when mining activity stopped, the sites were contaminated with arsenic and radionuclides. Hazardous substances were found at water-filled excavation pits and stockpiled mineralized waste rock and materials.
Put on list in 1995
Officially known as the White King/Lucky Lass Superfund site, the area was added to the EPA's national priorities list in April 1995.
Adams said the stockpile area spans 5 to 6 acres while a pond covers 13 acres. A series of wetlands are being created. When work is completed, the area will “pretty well blend in with the natural contours,” although some areas will be fenced to keep out cattle, he said.
The work has consolidated stockpile material. The White King totals 480,000 cubic yards and has been relocated on to reconfigured stockpile, which is being covered with a clay-like material. A 2-foot soil cover has been placed on top and is being revegetated with native grasses.
Debbie Schramm, Tronox vice president of communication, said most of the major excavation work has been completed at the White Pine mine - “Installation of the wetland berms is under way and the final cover on the consolidated stockpile will begin soon.”
“We are on schedule to have the work at both mine sites substantially completed by the end of September, with some minor clean up and re-vegetation work planned before winter sets in,” Schramm said. “Monitoring of vegetation success will occur over the next several years.”
By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor
LAKEVIEW - It's taken more than 40 years, but work to clean up two former uranium mines near Lakeview should be complete by October.
“They're moving along well,” said Bill Adams, project manager for the federal Environmental Protection Agency. “It's been a good season.”
Work being done at the former White King and Lucky Lass mine sites about 17 miles northwest of Lakeview started last summer. The mines are about a mile apart on private and Fremont-Winema National Forests lands.
$8 million project
The $8-million clean-up is being paid by Tronox, an independent, publicly traded company that spun off from Kerr-McGee in March. Tronox and Kerr-McGee are successors to the Lakeview Mining Company, formed by Lakeview-area residents in the 1950s to conduct mining activities.
Mining in the Lake County region began in 1955 when the federal government needed uranium for military defense purposes. Uranium production was controlled and exclusively used by the Atomic Energy Commission, the predecessor to the U.S. Department of Energy, to build the nation's nuclear arsenal for national defense.
Between 1955 and the mid-1960s, when mining activity stopped, the sites were contaminated with arsenic and radionuclides. Hazardous substances were found at water-filled excavation pits and stockpiled mineralized waste rock and materials.
Put on list in 1995
Officially known as the White King/Lucky Lass Superfund site, the area was added to the EPA's national priorities list in April 1995.
Adams said the stockpile area spans 5 to 6 acres while a pond covers 13 acres. A series of wetlands are being created. When work is completed, the area will “pretty well blend in with the natural contours,” although some areas will be fenced to keep out cattle, he said.
The work has consolidated stockpile material. The White King totals 480,000 cubic yards and has been relocated on to reconfigured stockpile, which is being covered with a clay-like material. A 2-foot soil cover has been placed on top and is being revegetated with native grasses.
Debbie Schramm, Tronox vice president of communication, said most of the major excavation work has been completed at the White Pine mine - “Installation of the wetland berms is under way and the final cover on the consolidated stockpile will begin soon.”
“We are on schedule to have the work at both mine sites substantially completed by the end of September, with some minor clean up and re-vegetation work planned before winter sets in,” Schramm said. “Monitoring of vegetation success will occur over the next several years.”
By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor
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leesa wrote on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
" these things should never happened in this world. the world should be safe. "
samantha r. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:
" this article is So true when your a teen girl and your pregnant It seems to feel like your life is over and there is no way you can fix it but that's not true if your young and your going to have a child then stay focused in school your child wants you to succeed in life so he/she can succeed in life my name is Samantha R. I'm 14 years old i live in Klamath falls and i might be pregnant :] If so I'm determined to make sure my child has a better life then i did :] "
Babe wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:
" I think that chiloquin people do need help and not just the teens but i have also seen places that are alot worse i moved from L.A to chiloquin and ive been back there since and trust me chiloquin is nothing. I also think that crime and drugs etc. are noticed more because it is so small compared to other places and there is no form of disaplin at all "
Tony P. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:55 PM:
" I remember the night the plane went down.. My mother crying and my dad in tears.. his dad searched for him for years...
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Jane D. wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM:
I Love You Bobby
May your soul Rest In Peace
-Deems "