EPA v. COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Case summary

CSMRI BECAME OPERATOR OF A METALLURGICAL EXPERIMENTAL PLANT AT THE SITE IN 1949 AND OPERATED UNTIL 1985 WHEN OPERATIONS CEASED. SERVICES AT THE SITE INCLUDED ORE PROCESSING, ORE CRUSHING, GRINDING, FLOATATION, FIRE ASSAY, SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND FUNACE OPERATIONS. WASTE MATERIALS FROM THIS WORK INCLUDE LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, LEAD, ARSENIC, AND OTHER HEAVY METALS. REMOVAL ACTIONS BEGAN AT THE SITE IN JANUARY 1992 IN RESPONSE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK. WATER FLOWED ACROSS THE SITE AND INTO A CONTAMINANT-FILLED TAILINGS POND CAUSING THE POND TO OVERFLOW INTO CLEAR CREEK. EPA EXCAVATED AND STOCKPILED SOILS AND SEDIMENTS ON-SITE AND IMPLEMENTED DUST/EROSION CONTROL. OTHER RESPONSE ACTIVITIES BY EPA INCLUDE THE DECONTAMINATION OF LABORATORY DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN 17 BUILDINGS, CONSOLIDATION OF DRUM WASTES AND TESTING AND DISPOSAL OF COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS. WHILE THE IMMEDIATE CONCERN HAS BEEN ALLEVIATED, THE CURRENTLY STAGED RADIOACTIVE WASTE PILE PROVIDES ONLY A SHORT-TERM REMEDY. DUE TO THE LONG UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE LAND USES, THIS WASTE PRESENTS A CONTINUING HEALTH THREAT.

Defendants (17)

• COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINESNamed in complaint
• EXXON CORPORATIONNamed in complaint
• BEAR CREEK MINING COMPANYNamed in complaint
• COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES RESEARCH INST.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• COTTER CORPORATIONNamed in complaint
• CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS COMPANYNamed in complaint
• EL PASE NATURAL GAS COMPANYNamed in complaint
• INSPIRATION CONSOLIDATED COPPER CO.Named in complaint
• KENNECOTT CORPORATIONNamed in complaint
• NL INDUSTRIES, INC.Named in complaint
• PHELPS DODGE CORPORATIONNamed in complaint
• QMC MINING CORPORATIONNamed in complaint
• STATE OF COLORADONamed in complaint
• TERRA INDUSTRIES, INC.Named in complaint
• TEXASGULF INC.Named in complaint
• WESTERN NUCLEAR, INC.Named in complaint
• ASARCO INC.Named in complaint

Facilities (1)

• COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES RESEARCH INST

  FAR WEST END OF 12TH STREET, GOLDEN, CO, 80401

  Registry ID: 110008297967

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTEentered 1998-11-12

  Primary law: CERCLA

  Federal penalty: $2,000 · SEP: $12,600

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 1995-01-25Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1998-11-12Final Order Issued
• 1998-12-22Enforcement Action Data Entered