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.
On June 6, 2005, EPA, USACE, and Conti Environmental remobilized to the Site to complete the remaining restoration activities. The activities include removing erosion matting from the buttress areas to be regraded and reseeded; blending topsoil and compost materials; overseeding of bare areas on the top of TP-1, decant spillway, and borrow area; filling and regrading of erosion rills on the buttress; and filling and grading of TP-1 crest along the west portion to promote drainage towards the TP-1 pond. Conti completed their work on the punchlist items during the week of June 27, 2005.
During the week of September 12, 2005, Conti remobilized to the Site to rework areas on the buttress where the vegetation did not grow properly. Additional topsoil/manure compost and grass seed were added to these areas. Any significant erosion rills were also repaired. Conti completed these final tasks and demobilzed from the Site on September 29, 2005.
There are no more actions planned under this time-critical removal action.
The Remedial Program will continue to work with VT DEC on implementing the Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) for this Site.
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