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Bonita Peak Mining District
Superfund Site
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August 5, 2025
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 Key Accomplishments since National Priorities Listing
Bonita Peak Mining District was listed on the National Priorities List in April 2016
Since the Gold King Mine release in 2015, EPA has made it a priority to tackle the complex challenges at the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site.
Thanks to strong partnerships with state and local agencies, Tribes and community leaders, EPA built a cleanup program rooted in cooperative federalism. Together, we’ve addressed immediate risks, stabilized key areas and laid the technical groundwork for us to move confidently into the next phase of cleanup.
The Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site portrays what strong federal leadership looks like in action. EPA is committed to restoring lands, protecting health and partnering with local communities every step of the way.
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Mine Water Treatment: The Gladstone Interim Water Treatment Plant Treats 300-500 gallons per minute of mine impacted water, removing metals and solids from Cement Creek
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Bonita Peak Repository Construction: Building a long-term repository that will permanently store contaminated solids from water treatment and site clean-up activities
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Interim Cleanup Decisions: Issued a 2019 Interim Record of Decision covering 23 source areas. These cleanups will be completed this year.
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Site Stabilization: Stabilized mine waste piles and draining portal areas through removal actions
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Strong Community Partnership: Established strong working relationship with the BPMD Community Advisory Group and the Silverton Planning Group to ensure meaningful community engagement
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Watershed Prioritization: Developed a framework to prioritize clean up efforts across 3 watersheds, 140 square miles 48 identified source areas, and 100’s of other mining related features
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Site Characterization: Completed extensive underground mine investigations and water quality studies to more fully understand the conditions and contamination sources at the site. These efforts are ongoing.
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Remedy Evaluation: Feasibility studies are evaluating remedy alternatives at key source areas across the site
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Human Health Protections: Addressed unacceptable recreational exposure risks from lead-contaminated soils; additional locations are being evaluated
These efforts reflect a long-term cleanup strategy that includes water treatment, ground water monitoring, emergency remediation, community partnership, and proactive policy development aimed at restoring the safety and ecological health of the Bonita Peak Superfund Site.
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Additional Information
For more information about the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, please contact the site's Community Involvement Coordinator, Ashlin Brooks, at brooks.ashlin@epa.gov.
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