Wolf Creek Community Alliance: Empire Mine State Park Information

Wolf Creek Community Alliance

Empire Mine cleanup info

About mining waste cleanup at Empire Mine State Historic Park

Wolf Creek Community Alliance is concerned about the presence of mining waste at the Empire Mine State Park because various toxic substances from the park (including arsenic, lead, and manganese) are finding their way into Wolf Creek and its tributaries, potentially harming aquatic life and threatening public safety. The links collected below provide a great deal of information about the "Environmental Investigation and Cleanup Activities" at the Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley. Non-electronic information is available at the Grass Valley Public Library, the Sierra Gold Sector Office, and the Empire Mine Visitor Center.

News and background information

YubaNet article, March 26, 2007: Data Collection on Toxic Mine Waste Continues at Empire Mine State Historic Park. Contains background information and a report on Superintendent Munson's presentation at the March Wolf Creek Community meeting.
Yubanet article, March 22, 2007: Wolf Creek Community Alliance hosts presentation on Empire Mine cleanup. Written by WCCA president Rick Sanger; contains detailed background information.

Data and technical information

Work plans for the Empire Mine cleanup on the California State Parks site. (trails, magenta drain, red dirt pile, etc.)
Empire Mine State park toxics data and related documents from the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (use the search feature for "this site" to locate Empire Mine info).
Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) for Hazardous Substances.

Media archives

Yubanet article, June 27, 2006: Water Board Gives Empire Mine State Park 4 More Years To Discharge Pollutants.
Yubanet article, June 28, 2006: California State Parks Moves Forward With Magenta Drain Cleanup.
Yubanet article, July 27, 2006: State Parks Announces Summer Work Plans for Empire Mine State Historic Park.
Yubanet article, December 5, 2006: State Agencies, State Parks, and Mining Company Agree to Start Pollution Control and Cleanup at Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley.