Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-5) petitioned President George W. Bush for assistance on behalf of his constituents in Leadville, Colorado. Congressman Lamborn called on the President to immediately resolve the disputes that led to years of inaction on blockages in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT) and insist on a long term solution to protect lives and environmental integrity in the region.

Text from the Letter Congressman Lamborn sent to President Bush:

 February 22, 2007

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

     I am writing to request your intervention on behalf of my constituents in Lake County, Colorado.

     The Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT) drains an area once replete with active mining near Leadville, Colorado. The Bureau of Reclamation owns this tunnel and also a water treatment facility dedicated to removing the heavy metals from water the tunnel transports out of the abandoned mines. Blockages in the tunnel have caused an estimated 1 billion gallons of contaminated water to build up in the abandoned mines and the surrounding earth.

     It is imperative that this water be safely removed before a catastrophic event releases this water into the Arkansas River. The Bureau of Reclamation’s unwillingness to demonstrate responsible ownership by taking immediate action to clear the tunnel and process the trapped water is unacceptable.

     A letter to the Bureau of Reclamation dated November 8, 2007 from Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Robert E. Robert states: 

          “…Due to the unknown condition of the tunnel blockages and the large volume of water 
          behind the blockages, we are concerned that an uncontrolled, potentially-catastrophic 
          release of water to the Arkansas River from the LMDT is likely at some point. Not only 
          endangering human life (people living at the East Fork Trailer Park and BOR employees), 
          the sudden release of water, rock, sediment, and heavy metals to the Arkansas River 
          would be an environmental disaster.”

     The Bureau of Reclamation purchased the LMDT in 1959. In 1992, the Bureau of Reclamation built the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Facility which has improved water quality in the nearby Arkansas River. The Arkansas River has improved for recreational users and remains a key supply of water to thousands of downstream users.

     The people of Lake County and the downstream users of the Arkansas River cannot wait any longer. Jurisdictional disagreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have led to a delayed solution to this problem. The EPA does conduct Superfund activities in the area, but the fact remains that the blocked tunnel is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation.

     I have met personally with local officials in my district, representatives from the EPA and the Bureau of Reclamation. While I am encouraged that the EPA and Bureau of Reclamation have formed an initial plan to begin pumping water to the LMDT Treatment Plant for processing, I have yet to see a workable long-term solution to this problem. In light of this, I request that you direct officials at the Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation to permanently solve this problem and prevent an environmental disaster or physical harm resulting from a blockage in the LMDT.

     The problem faced by the people of Lake County did not happen overnight. A pattern of bureaucratic neglect over a period of several decades has led us to the potential crisis we face today. This situation can be remedied, but it will take immediate action. Your intervention in this matter will prevent a local issue from becoming a national disaster. 


                                                                  Respectfully, 

                                &nb