Topography of the area consists of north-south trending hills and valleys. Woodlands surround the mine property. Undeveloped and residential properties border the site's western margin. Site elevations range from approximately 1,000 feet to 1,300 feet above mean sea level. The property consists of two mine tailings piles, one area of waste rock and heap leach piles, two open-cut mines, several adits (horizontal mine entrances), underground shafts and tunnels, ventilation shafts, and several former ore processing buildings. Other on-site structures include those previously used for office space, a shop, a solvent/oil storage shed, an air compressor building, and a garage. The majority of the buildings are in a dilapidated condition. However, one of the buildings on the property is rented for residential purposes, and the garage has been used to store equipment.
The three areas of waste rock, tailings, and heap leach piles (TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3) as well as the North Open Cut are located within the Copperas Brook watershed. The Copperas Brook watershed drains into the West Branch of the Ompompanoosuc River (WBOR), approximately six miles upstream from its confluence with the Ompompanoosuc River, near the Union Village Dam. The Ompompanoosuc River empties into the Connecticut River approximately three miles downstream of the Union Village Dam.
USACE's contractor, Conti Environmental, remobilized to the Site on 05/10/04. Conti conducted site preparation activites, which included the following: establishing work zones, repairing the access roads to the Site,completing the surface water spillway construction, and mobilization of personnel, equipment and materials.
Conti has implemented the erosion and sediment control measures as identified in the site work plan. The contractor has completed clearing and grubbing of the buttress and borrow pit areas. Conti has removed the tailings from the base of TP-1. Installation of the drainage system at the toe of TP-1 has been completed. Conti is also working on the regrade of the upper portion of TP-1.
Upcoming removal activities include completing the regrade of the upper portion of TP-1, construction of the buttress, and site restoration activities.
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