Mining
Mining Contacts
Patty McGrath
Regional Mining Coordinator
(206) 553-0979
mcgrath.patricia@epa.gov
Cindi Godsey
Alaska Mining Coordinator
(907) 271-6561
godsey.cindi@epa.gov
Dave Tomten
Idaho Mining Coordinator
(208) 378-5763
tomten.dave@epa.gov
National Mining Information
Mining is important to the economy of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. As new and existing mining operations expand, abandoned mines continue to have impacts on human health and the environment. EPA works with mining stakeholders, including other federal agencies, states, tribes, local groups, and industry, to achieve our environmental protection goals. Our mining team helps promote consistency and expedite our work on new and active mines and mine site cleanup.
On This Page
EPA's Mining Work in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
- Review and/or preparation of Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Permitting and compliance for waste water discharge to surface water under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- Permitting and compliance for for waste water and stormwater discharges to surface water under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Underground Injection Control (UIC) program
- Review of wetlands dredge and fill permits under the CWA
- Reporting Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA)
- Mine site assessment and cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Government-to-Government consultation with tribes
EPA Mining Documents
Note: Many of these documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Some of the files are very large and could take a long time to download. Read about .pdf
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Region 10 Specific Strategy and Guidance
Select EPA National Documents (for more national information, see box at right)
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Mining Operations
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to consider potential environmental impacts before taking major actions, such as issuing permits or making decisions that affect federal lands. If significant impacts are likely, the agency must prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). EPA has two roles under NEPA: 1- to review EISs on proposed federal agency actions and prepare written comments and 2- to comply with NEPA by writing Environmental Assessments or EISs for certain EPA actions.
NEPA Review: In 2008, EPA reviewed NEPA documents for the following mining projects.
NEPA Compliance: EPA is currently developing EISs or supplemental EIS for the following mining projects.
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Wastewater Discharge (NPDES) Permits for Mining Operations
EPA issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for the discharge of wastewater for all facilities in Alaska and Idaho and on tribal lands in Oregon and Washington. Following are NPDES Permits issued by Region 10 for mining sites:
Individual Permits - facilities in Alaska
- AJ Mine
- Atlanta Gold
- Coeur Alaska, Kensington Mine
- Craig Coggins Placer Mine
- Devore Mining and Exploration
- Idaho Cobalt Project
- Kennecott Greens Creek Mine
- Teck Cominco Alaska, Red Dog Mine
- Teck Cominco Alaska, Pogo Mine
- Usibelli Coal Mine
- VanDyne Placer Mine
- Wayne Duke Placer Mine
Individual Permits - facilities in Idaho
- Hecla Mining Company, Grouse Creek Mine
- Hecla Mining Company, Lucky Friday Mine
- Meridian Beartrack Mine
- Sterling Mining Company-Sunshine Mine
- Thompson Creek Mining Co
- US Silver, Coeur and Galena Mines and Mills
General Permits covering multiple dischargers
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Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permits for Mining Operations
EPA issues UIC permits for the discharge of waste water to ground water via UIC wells.
UIC permits issued by Region 10 for mining sites:
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Mining Cleanup
EPA conducts and supervises investigation and cleanup actions at a variety of mine sites where hazardous substances have been released into the environment or when there is a threat of such releases of these substances. Cleanups may be done by EPA, other federal agencies, states or municipalities, or the company or party responsible for the contamination. Long-term (remedial) and short-term (removal) cleanup actions occur under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). CERCLA is also known as Superfund. Cleanup may also refer to the reuse and redevelopment of sites, such as under the Brownfields initiative whereby abandoned or under-used industrial sites are cleaned of environmental contamination and reclaimed for productive use.
Cleanup Sites
Remedial Superfund Cleanup Sites
Removal Sites
Past Removals
Ongoing Removals
EPA Tribal Mining Training
EPA Region 10 has developed a training course targeted toward Tribes. The training course describes the mining process, environmental impacts from mining, and regulations and permitting process for mining operations. For more information, please contact Patty McGrath, (contact information above), or Tami Fordham (fordham.tami@epa.gov, 907-271-1484).