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Fact Sheet
April 2006
EPA to Sample Big Creek - Annapolis, Iron County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will be in Annapolis, Missouri during the week of April 17 – 21, 2006, to conduct sampling activities near the Annapolis Lead Mine Superfund Site. The sampling is a follow up to prior response activities.
BACKGROUND
The Annapolis Lead Mine Superfund Site was placed on the National Priorities List on July 22, 2004. It was listed due to elevated levels of heavy metals, particularly lead, which were present throughout the site. The site is a former lead mine. The mine reportedly operated from 1919 to 1940. It was located near Sutton Branch Creek, a tributary of Big Creek. The mining and processing generated chat piles and tailings, collectively known as milling wastes, which are the sources of the contaminants of concern.
In addition, surface water bodies located downstream from the site (Big Creek) contained elevated concentrations of site-related hazardous substances that could pose a threat to recreational fisheries and wetlands in the area. The mine area was addressed in the previous EPA Time Critical Removal Action.
SAMPLING ACTIVITIES
The area to be investigated during this sampling event includes sediment in Big Creek. Samples will be taken in Big Creek 200 meters upstream of the confluence with Sutton Branch Creek and downstream to the St. Francois River. This will include samples taken in deep pools in the depositional zones. The current sampling effort will only address sediment in Big Creek. The town of Annapolis will be studied during a separate sampling event.
Twenty-six sediment samples will be collected in depositional areas to a depth no greater than 15 centimeters in the creek channel areas. Sediment will be analyzed for heavy metals. The field work is expected to begin the week of April 17, 2006, and should be completed within three to five days. The results will be available at a later date.
The data collected during this sampling event should provide a much better idea of the nature and extent of heavy metals contamination in Big Creek. During a previous visit, 19 sediment samples were taken close to the bank along the 20 mile reach of Big Creek from Annapolis to the confluence with St. Francois River. The results of those samples showed no contamination above the levels of concern. This current sampling is focused on deeper sediment in the channel to determine if there is contamination in Big Creek above levels of concern.
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD
EPA encourages the community to review the Administrative Record File regarding the Annapolis Lead Mine Site. The file is located at City Hall, 204 School Street, Annapolis, Missouri.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Belinda Young
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of External Programs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425
young.belinda@epa.gov
