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Problems With the Formosa Mine Cleanup

By Lindsey Doi

 

RIDDLE, Ore. -- Oregon's dirtiest abandoned mine doesn't look like it's going to be cleaned up any time soon, unless someone claims responsibility for it and foots the $50 million bill.

 

The Formosa Mine in Riddle was added to the Federal Superfund Cleanup List in 2007, but environmentalists say the area remains contaminated because of a bureaucratic impasse.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency is working to test the area to begin cleanup efforts, but the Bureau of Land Management must first agree to begin cleanup costs since the site sits on part of their land. But the BLM says the cleanup responsibilities should fall to the mine's original operators.

 

Thousands of gallons of acidic mine drainage pour out of the Formosa site each day, and environmentalists say the impasse will likely delay cleanup efforts by two years. The BLM says they, too, want the mine site cleaned up as soon as possible, and they're cooperating with the EPA to help speed the process along.

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