From The Durango Herald (Jessica Pace):
Agreeing that collaboration is key, New Mexico environmental officials extended a hand in partnership to La Plata County during a Wednesday meeting about long-term water monitoring plans.
Four months after an Environmental Protection Agency-caused spill at the Gold King Mine in Silverton sent 3 million gallons of acidic wastewater into the Animas and San Juan rivers work continues for entities throughout the Four Corners. They want to establish long-term plans to monitor not only the impacts of the Aug. 5 spill, but the long-standing issue of abandoned mine drainage and other pollutants affecting regional water quality.
On Wednesday, officials with the New Mexico Environment Department shared the state’s plan with La Plata County in an effort to open lines of communication. New Mexico has worked closely with the Navajo Nation and Utah stakeholders in the aftermath of the spill, but communication with Colorado has been minimal.
“Monitoring plans will be separate, but should complement one another,” said Cabinet Secretary Ryan Flynn.
New Mexico met with San Juan County officials in October, when the draft plan was released. It includes identifying the quality of water impounded in Upper Animas Watershed mines as well as mill tailings and waste rock that could discharge into surface water.
