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Summer Newsletter

May 2026 

Federal and State agency representatives at Brooklyn Mine Site - July 2025

Upcoming Summer Activities 

This summer EPA, BLM, and State agencies will be working on several important cleanup and monitoring projects across the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site (BPMD). Here’s what’s happening: 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Repository Update 

Red and Bonita Mine Portal Closure

The Red and Bonita Bulkhead has been closed since November 2025.  Head pressure has stabilized around 185 ft above the adit floor. EPA continues to monitor nearby adits, Cement Creek, and seeps and springs and plans to keep the valve closed as long as positive benefits are observed. 

Red and Bonita Portal Shed Extension

EPA has updated the Administrative Record for the Red and Bonita Mine portal shed extension time‑critical removal to include an Action Memorandum Amendment signed on May 6, 2026, which extended the time frame to conduct the work. The purpose of this work is to install a portal shed replacement and extension to prevent rock fall and avalanche debris from impounding water in the tunnel. This work was delayed from 2025 due to material and staff availability. For more information, view the Administrative Record. 

Coating Study

EPA’s Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions (OASES), previously called Office of Research and Development, started a coating study on the Bandora waste rock pile in Fall 2025. The objective of the study is to determine if coating waste rock with Soil-Sement® can prevent acid mine drainage generation and improve water quality in the receiving stream. The experiment will continue in 2026.

New BPMD County Liaison

EPA is pleased to announce that San Juan County has selected Charlie Smith as the new county liaison for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site. Charlie will be the primary point of contact for county coordination and stakeholder engagement. For questions or to connect on site activities, please email him at bpmd@sanjuancolorado.us. 

Completion of 2019 Interim Record of Decision

The 2019 Interim Record of Decision (IROD) for BPMD is complete as of March 31, 2026. Starting in late 2019 and continuing through the 2025 field season, various source control, water diversion, and containment remedies were implemented at 23 BPMD source-area mines. The completion of the IROD furthers progress on all 3 goals of the Site: improving water quality, stabilizing solid media, and mitigating unplanned release of mining-influenced water. For more information, please visit out storymap.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is hosting a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) 8-Hour Refresher Training. The Training will be held on May 19, 2026, from 8 am – 5 pm at the Kendall Mountain Recreation Center; Registration is free. See the flyer below for more details. 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

American Tunnel Maintenance

This project at the American Tunnel will be conducted in two phases.  Phase I will be removal of iron sludge that has accumulated on the tunnel floor (June 29 through July 24).  Expect construction equipment congestion at the intersection of County Roads 51, 52, and 53. Phase II will be structural repairs within the tunnel to improve long-term stability. Work is planned September 14 through October 16.  Some traffic congestion in the Gladstone area should be expected. 

Prospector Gulch Revegetation

This project will occur around June 15 through July 3 and consist of revegetating 2 acres below the Lark Mine. The public can expect slow moving construction equipment on County Road 35 from the Lark Mine down to where County Road 35 intersects with County Road 110. There will be a brief period of construction equipment congestion for approximately 3-4 days in mid to late September. 

Animas Forks Historic Site 

This project at Animas Forks will consist of installing timber fencing to keep public visitors away from areas with soil containing high concentrations of lead and arsenic.  Start and duration of the project is to be determined, County Road 9 in the vicinity of the historic site will have construction equipment and activity.

Forest Queen Mine 

This project at the Forest Queen Mine consists of cleaning of conveyance pipes and dates are to be determined.  This project is well off County Road 9 and should not disrupt public use of the road. 

Public Participation Opportunity

Open House - in Silverton, CO 

The Silverton Community is organizing an Open House to bring together federal agencies and residents on Wednesday, June 17 at 5:00 P.M. at the Kendall Mountain Recreation Center. This event is designed to give the public a chance to engage directly with agency representatives, ask questions, and learn more about planned activities at BPMD this summer. It’s a valuable opportunity to understand upcoming site work and connect with those involved. Participating agencies include EPA, BLM, CDPHE, DRMS, USFS, and more. This event is sponsored by San Juan County. For additional details contact San Juan County at bpmd@sanjuancolorado.us. 

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.