Abandoned Mine Lands
Project Description:
Proposed CERCLA actions at the Oat Hill Extension Mercury Mine in Lake County, California will include compilation of a PRP search, SI Removal and EE/CA reports at the preliminary phase. CERCLA removal and disposal operations will also be conducted on approximately +50,000 cubic yards of mercury calcines and related mine wastes from the Oat Hill Extension Mine mercury retort mill and tailings disposal sites within the James Creek subwatershed, tributary to the Putah Creek watershed.
Benefits/Results:
The removal of mercury mine wastes from the mine and retort mill site will reduce the downstream transport of mercury into James and Putah Creeks and thence into Lake Berryessa and the San Francisco-Bay Delta watersheds. These water courses provide spawning habitat for sports and native fish species. The Lake Berryessa reservoir already has an existing fish consumption advisory for mercury.
Feasibility/Implementation:
A formal PRP search will be compiled by a contractor in FY2006-7 to determine if a viable party exists and a Removal SI document will be compiled by a contractor. During FY2007-8 an EE/CA will be prepared prior to the development of final cleanup and design plans. Mercury CERCLA cleanup actions are proposed for FY2008-9, with post-remediation monitoring activities undertaken during FY2009-11.
External Support/Partners:
Developed partnerships include the CA Water Resources Board and USGS-Geologic Division. Local watershed stakeholder groups (Putah Creek Watershed Group) also support the project. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) is supportive of this project. There is no known opposition to the project.
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