EPA v. ARKANSAS RIVER RANCH

Case summary

THE ARKANSAS RIVER RANCH PROPERTY IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE UPPER ARKANSAS RIVER DOWNSTREAM FROM AREAS OF MINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA GULCH HISTORIC MINING DISTRICT IN AND AROUND LEADVILLE, CO. MINING ACTIVITY HAS OCCURRED UPSTREAM OF THE PROPERTY FOR APPROXIMATELY 130 YEARS. DURING THAT TIME, MINING WASTES HAVE BEEN WASHED DOWN THE RIVER AND HAVE COME TO BE LOCATED IN DEPOSITS ON AND ADJACENT TO THE ARKANSAS RIVER RANCH PROPERTY. A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT SHOWS THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 40,000 CUBIC YARDS OF FLUVIAL TAILINGS WITH ELEVATED LEVELS OF METALS. THE STATE OF COLORADO, ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION INTENDS TO PURCHASE A PORTION OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER RANCH FOR USE AS PARKS, OPEN SPACE, WILDLIFE HABITAT, RECREATION AND/OR OTHER USES.

Defendants (1)

• ARKANSAS RIVER RANCHNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ARKANSAS RIVER RANCH

  315 ACRES ALONG 3.5 MI. OF ARKANSAS RIVER, LEADVILLE, CO, 80461

  Registry ID: 110010648139

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 122G — Administrative De Minimis Settlement

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ARKANSAS RIVER RANCHentered 1999-01-11

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 1999-01-11Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1999-01-11Final Order Issued
• 1999-07-12Enforcement Action Data Entered