EPA: Monsanto mine violates water quality laws

Soda Springs, Idaho-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Monsanto’s South Rasmussen Mine near the Idaho-Wyoming border continues to violate federal and state water quality laws by failing to stop discharges of heavy metal-laden waste dump water into the area’s water ways. EPA says the mine’s problems were first documented in April 2002 ?Çô 15 months after the Bureau of Land Management approved it. The BLM then concluded precautions would not “allow selenium or other contaminants to migrate from the lease.” Meanwhile, BLM anticipates releasing by mid-July a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Monsanto’s proposed nearby Blackfoot Bridge Mine, which would be about eight miles northeast of Soda Springs on 740 acres, with only 10 percent of that acreage being public land. It would not be far from the Blackfoot River, which is listed as selenium impaired under the U.S. Clean Water Act. BLM has been working with Monsanto on the new mine’s plans for four years. Releasing the draft DEIS will start a 45-day public comment period. Monsanto hopes to start developing the mine in the second half of 2010 and transition into full operation in 2011 or 2012, when Rasmussen’s ore is exhausted. Company officials say Blackfoot Bridge would be among the most environmentally-advanced mines in the nation. Part of that mine would be reclaimed as work is completed. Waste rock would be used to backfill mining pits, which would be covered by a cap patterned after the J.R. Simplot Co.’s cap planned for its Smoky Canyon Mine expansion. Monsanto’s cap, however, would include a laminated geosynthetic liner and special clay. Water would be pumped into lined overflow ponds. Trees, shrubs, and flowers would be planted atop it for wildlife habitat and absorbing water. Waste rock piles also would be capped. Monsanto spokesman Trent Clark estimates his company will invest $24 million for the cap, $5 million on the water management ponds, and $6.5 million on the environmental impact statement to ensure selenium is kept out of surrounding water ways. Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) officials have met with Monsanto officials and toured the site. GYC Executive Director Mike Clark of Bozeman, Mont., says his organization appreciates Monsanto’s effort to seek input. Monsanto has consented to a remedial investigation/feasibility study for three of its closed mines to determine if there are cleanup issues. EPA is also administering ongoing cleanup of Monsanto’s South Rasmussen Mine. Monsanto is investigating trial technologies to address selenium issues at South Rasmussen and working to keep selenium out of a nearby wetland without cutting off its water. Past mines required only an environmental assessment, which is much less rigorous than a full environmental impact statement. South Rasmussen does not include an elaborate storage pond system.