1.1.1 Incident Category

Historic Mining District 

1.1.2 Site Description

Gold was discovered in 1865 at the base of what is now known as Bullion Canyon near Marysvale, Utah.  These placer deposits were traced to their origins in Bullion Canyon, and the Ohio Mining District was formed.  By 1869, the camps of Bullion City, Webster City and Virginia City where established and the first of several mills was constructed in the canyon.  Mining continued in the canyon until approximately 1938, and the remnants of these historic mining activities, including deposits of contaminated soil, are still evident.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site consists of two campgrounds west of Marysvale along Bullion Canyon Road in Piute County, Utah.  The first is Fireman’s Park (3.5 miles from town) and the second is near the historic Bully Boy Mill (6.2 miles from town).

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

In 2004, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) conducted an assessment of a former mining district west of Marysvale, Utah, and determined that elevated levels of lead exist in two areas that are frequently used for camping and associated recreational activities:

1. Bully Boy Camping Area – an informal camping area near the former Bully Boy Mill that is frequently used by local residents.
2. Fireman’s Park – a formal group campground and day use area near the former Bullion Mill that is managed by the Town of Marysvale.

The area did not qualify for listing as a Superfund Site and was referred to the EPA’s Emergency Response Unit in 2015 due to exposure concerns and the potential for human health impacts.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Bully Boy Camping Area

There appear to have been at least two historic tailing impoundments down gradient of the Bully Boy Mill.  These tailing impoundments no longer hold water and semi-permanent camps have developed on top of the remnant deposits.  These camps have been used by locals each summer season for decades.

UDEQ collected five samples from the first six inches of surface soil in this area, and the laboratory results for lead in mg/kg were: 3780, 7750, 7760, 12,700 and 19,600.  EPA’s Residential Screening Level (RSL) for lead in soil is 400 mg/kg.  The samples were also tested for mercury, but those results were all below EPA’s RSL.

Fireman’s Park

EPA collected surface (0”) and subsurface (0-6”) soil samples from Fireman’s Park on October 27, 2015.  These samples were collected from each individual campsite as well as the common areas in the campground.  Laboratory results from these samples indicated that the three campsites to the east have concentrations of both lead and mercury in the surface and subsurface samples that exceed EPA’s RSLs.  There are also slightly elevated levels of both lead and mercury in subsurface samples from the common areas.  These sample results are summarized in the following table: 

2.1.1 Narrative

Bully Boy Camp

The area will be closed to camping and off-road vehicle use.  The soils in and near the Bully Boy Camping Area as roughly depicted in Figure 12 will be re-graded and/or capped with at least 12 inches of non-contaminated material.  Trees and other large vegetation will be protected to the extent practical.  Proper drainage and erosion control features will be constructed once the cap is installed.  All areas in the removal zone will be restored, re-vegetated and large boulders or other terrain features will be installed to prevent vehicular access.

Fireman’s Park

Fireman’s Park will be temporarily closed to facilitate construction activities. The soil in the eastern end of the park as roughly depicted in Figure 11 will be capped with at least 12 inches of non-contaminated material.  Some material will be excavated before the cap is installed to remove hot spots and achieve the appropriate drainage at the Site.  All excavated material will be transported to the Bully Boy Camping Area and added to the material that will be capped in that location.  Any excavated area will be filled with non-contaminated fill material and the cap will be constructed with appropriate topsoil to support re-vegetation.  Proper drainage and erosion control features will be constructed.  All areas in the removal zone will be restored and re-vegetated to support future camping and day use activities.  It is anticipated that part of the campground may remain closed until the spring of 2017 to help establish the new vegetation.  

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Access has been restricted to both campgrounds. Approximately 50 cubic yards of material from the most contaminated areas in Fireman's Park have been excavated and trucked to the Bully Boy Camping Area.  Caps have been installed in both campgrounds.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Crown Mines LLC and the Town of Marysvale, consistent with an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with EPA, are performing the removal action.  

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2 of 2 campgrounds have been capped.

0 of 2 campgrounds have been restored.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

The Bully Boy Camping Area (the informal campground) and the contaminated portions of Fireman’s Park will be closed to the public in April 2016 before the camping season begins.  Construction activities in both campgrounds will occur in May 16-27, 2016.  Restoration activities at both campgrounds will be completed by September 2016.  Restoration of the formerly contaminated campsites in Fireman’s Park will occur over the summer of 2016 and those areas should reopen to the public in the spring of 2017.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Sitewide

Fireman’s Park

Bully Boy Camp

 2.2.1.2 Next Steps

UDEQ will verify installation of the caps in both campgrounds.  Restoration activities including the construction of erosion control features will continue in both campgrounds.

2.2.2 Issues

2.5.1 Safety Officer

Not applicable.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

Not applicable.

2.5.3 Information Officer

3.1 Unified Command

Not applicable.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

1 OSC

8 Crown Field Personnel (contracted)

Town of Marysvale staff as needed

START Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team

UDEQ: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

www.epaosc.org/BullionCanyon 

6.2 Reporting Schedule

An update will be provided in June. 

Not applicable.