STAC to discuss environment

SUPERIOR – The Superior Technical Advisory Committee will meet May 5 to discuss issues related to environmental quality.

Items on the agenda include an update on funding and a possible work schedule for summer projects that could provide local employment opportunities. A further investigation on Flat Creek will also be included, as will plans for the future of the old repository in Mineral County.

Darrell Reed from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Robert Wintergerst from the Forest Service will join the 5 p.m. meeting in the chamber office.

An additional concern is erosion that may occur in the area of the West Mullan Fire. “Sediment that washes down from higher elevations is problematic,” said Steve Ackerlund, a risk assessment specialist for STAC. “It further complicates cleanup and there are recontamination concerns from the fire contained in the sediment.” 

The meeting is for members of the community who are interested in possible work opportunities, or those who are concerned about how cleanup projects can change the flow of creeks or conditions of the riverbed. 

“The Environmental Protection Agency has a grant program that gives support money to local organizations like STAC,” Ackerlund said. “STAC is a non-profit to get people organized regarding environmental quality while understanding local issues, which helps the group communicate with the EPA.” 

Some projects were completed in Superior last summer regarding health risk areas. STAC worked with DEQ to help cleanup-affected yards. 

The cleanup was to help eliminate old mining related materials, including elevated amounts of heavy metals that were found in gravel driveways and alleyways. 

“The ground was so contaminated in those areas that weeds wouldn’t even grow there,” Ackerlund said.

The gravel was cheap and widely distributed in the area. The goal was to remove the top 12 inches of gravel and dirt so the typical homeowner will not be affected by any of the heavy metals. Afterwards, clean fill dirt was used to cover the removal areas.

In Flat Creek, old mines and trace metals in some concentrations may have contaminated vines or water. The committee is investigating the possibility of proceeding with a cleanup project.  

“Contaminated soil and ground water impacts ecological life and human health if those are spending a lot of time in the water or eating fish from the creek,” Ackerlund said. 

The old Mineral County repository, which was used to house mine waste, was previously owned by the Forest Service who transferred the land to DEQ, who now properly maintains the repository site.

“There is a little space left in the repository for the county for future mine waste,” Ackerlund said.

People are concerned with areas in Superior that might be contaminated by mine waste. These are people who pan Flat Creek for gold, children who play next to the water or fish the creek. 

 “The meeting is for the citizens of Superior hosted by the citizens of Superior,” Ackerlund said. “I will be there to represent the needs and interests of the citizens of Superior in this cleanup process.”