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Work continuing at Superfund site

Work continues at the Flat Creek-Iron Mountain Mine Superfund cleanup site located 4 miles northeast of Superior. According to an April 10 report, the focus of the work is on gathering slash and burning. There are plans to begin tailings excavation soon and will start with the stockpiled tailings on the west side of the road at the mill site.

MI reporter up for two awards

Mineral Independent Reporter, Kathleen Woodford has been nominated in two categories for this year’s Montana Newspaper Association Awards. In “Best Continuing News Coverage” and “Best Feature Photo”. She had two entries in each category, the news coverage article were covering the Mineral County employee strike last summer, and her timber series-exploring the different aspects of timber from commercial sales to environmental impacts. The photos were “Vulture Dance”, and a photo from a local play. The awards banquet will be held in Lewistown on June 17.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting your local newspaper and I look forward to another fulfilling year covering the news in Mineral County,” she said.

Damage reported on old Mullan Road

Northwestern Energy replaced power poles west of Alberton and in the processed reportedly damaged a portion of the old Mullan Road near the Point of Rocks interpretive trail. The trail is located up West Mountain Creek and west on the old Milwaukee rail grade.

Montana historian Jon Axline heard reports regarding the damage and is waiting to hear from Northernwestern Energy. The ground was soft this spring when they replaced the poles and it damaged part of the historic road.

The Points of Rocks is on the National Register of Historic Places and consists of interpretive signs and Tunnel No. 18 from the old Milwaukee line. Currently there is also a fallen tree blocking the road to the actual gate entrance to the trail.