EPA Causes Massive Mine Waste Spill in Colorado That Turns River Orange

Workers with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spilled roughly one million gallons of mine waste into a Colorado creek on Wednesday, turning the nearby Animas River bright orange and prompting criticism from environmental groups over the government's lackluster response to the accident.

EPA officials confirmed on Thursday that the leak was caused by employees. They had been using heavy machinery to investigate pollutants at the abandoned Gold King Mine north of Silverton.

The agency said impacts on wildlife and the environment in the area would likely be minimal, in part due to the river's "longstanding" low water quality. However, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) responded that such reasoning "offers no comfort to concerns about pollution impacts farther downstream."

"Endangered species downstream of this spill are already afflicted by [the] same toxic compounds like mercury and selenium that may be in this waste," said CBD's Taylor McKinnon. "These species are hanging by a thread, and every new bit of toxic exposure worsens a bad situation. EPA's downplaying of potential impacts is troubling and raises deeper questions about the thoroughness of its mine-reclamation efforts."

Colorado Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Todd Hartman told the Denver Post on Thursday that the Gold King Mine last operated more than a century ago. According to Durango utility manager Steve Salka, the wastewater spilled into Cement Creek, which feeds the Animas River, reportedly contains zinc, iron, copper, and other heavy metals—relics of old-fashioned mines that eventually went out of use.

"The most important thing is what's in it. I need to know," Salka told the Post. "Back in the 1800s, mining used things that aren't allowed anymore."

According to a statement from the San Juan County Health Department, the waste contains "high levels" of toxic materials. The EPA had stored it behind "unconsolidated debris near an abandoned mine portal."

Officials on Wednesday warned farmers to shut off water intakes along the Animas while law enforcement closed the river to fishers, swimmers, and kayakers. Water supply to nearby colleges and golf courses was also suspended. On shores and bridges, residents stood watching as the emerald-green waters turned thick and mustardy with the discharge.

Health and environmental officials are evaluating the Animas River as it flows its 126-mile course through San Juan and La Plata counties. However, they cautioned that it is unknown whether the spill will impact human health. Colorado Parks and Wildlife placed cages with fish in the river to monitor how the fish react to the contaminated water and expects to have results by Friday.

Elizabeth Holley, an assistant professor of mining engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, said the spill was "significant."

The EPA called it "unexpected."

"This toxic spill into the Animas is a disturbing incident that just underscores how vulnerable our rivers, streams, and fisheries are to abandoned hardrock mine pollution," Steve Kandell of the conservation group Trout Unlimited told Colorado Public Radio on Thursday. "The health of our community and recreation-based economy depends heavily on water quality."