the formosa mine in riddle oregon?

Question

Who should be held responsible?
What should be done?

Answer 1

Taxpayers will pick up the tab, regardless of who is responsible. Here's the details on what will be done:



Cleanup plan for Riddle Formosa mine set


RIDDLE -- A cleanup proposal for the abandoned Formosa Mine in Riddle is now finalized and out for review.

The Department of Environmental Quality and Bureau of Land Management coordinated in planning a solution to mitigate a toxic mess that has polluted 18 miles of Middle and South Fork Middle creeks, both tributaries of Cow Creek. Though no contamination has reached Cow Creek -- a source of the town's drinking water -- fish and wildlife have abandoned the upper reaches of the two tributaries.

The final feasibility study recommends what's called an "in situ" option -- injecting a solution into the mine that would raise pH levels in the groundwater, thereby reducing acidity. That's the cheapest alternative. If needed, officials would then collect and treat the groundwater before it reaches the headwaters of the two creeks. If that still doesn't resolve the problem, officials would also remove and treat the mine tailings from inside the shaft.

Depending on if the additional measures are taken, cleanup could cost $3 million to $21 million and take five to 10 years. No funding has been secured yet.

This sequence differs from the agencies' initial approach in the draft feasibility study, where the preferred cleanup option was excavating and treating the backfill material.

"We recognized that the in situ technology ... really was the best way to go, largely because there's still a lot of uncertainty regarding what will work best," said Greg Aitken, project manager with the DEQ. "Our new approach really looks seriously at the best return on the investment given the uncertainty."

Lenny Schussel, a private consultant with a background in inorganic chemistry who's been following Formosa for 10 years, said he hasn't seen the proposal yet, but has initial concerns.

"They shouldn't be looking at cheaper, they should be fixing the problems," he said.

Injecting something into the mine could cause more damage than good, he said.

He also doubted the agencies will be able to secure enough funding.

He's been following the project so long, he's getting exasperated with the lack of progress.

"We need to hold their feet to the fire and get them to fix the problem," he said.

The agencies plan to host a meeting in April to discuss the cleanup recommendations and give an update on the funding search.

The study is available at the Riddle Branch Library or at the DEQ Web site, www.deq.state.or.us/wr/LocalProjects/FormosaMine/Formosa.htm. An electronic copy of the report on CD can also be mailed.

Questions: Greg Aitken, [phone] Ext. 252.



* You can reach reporter Diane Huber at 957-4218 or by e-mail at [e-mail].