Silverton town leaders could make a formal request this week for a Superfund designation to clean up abandoned mines in the area—including the Gold King Mine.
San Juan County and Silverton officials have a series of meetings scheduled this week to discuss a Superfund listing. Town leaders have resisted that designation in the past. But when EPA officials accidentally triggered the release of 3 million gallons of orange wastewater into the Animas River near Silverton last year, the conversation shifted.
If both the town council and county commissioners agree to move forward, they’ll send a formal letter to Gov. John Hickenlooper requesting the designation. The process requires that governor make the official request to the EPA.
