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Udall and Lamborn Re-Introduce Legislation to Address Threat to Leadville from Blocked Mine Tunnel

Jul 9 2009

CONTACTS:   
Tara Trujillo (Udall) – 202-224-4334
Catherine Mortensen (Lamborn) – 202-225-4422

 Udall and Lamborn Re-Introduce Legislation to Address 
Threat to Leadville from Blocked Mine Tunnel

Senate and House bills direct Bureau of Reclamation to fix the problem  
Today, Senator Mark Udall and Congressman Doug Lamborn announce they have introduced companion legislation in the House and Senate to help bring a long-term solution to the problems associated with the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT) in Lake County. The tunnel carries water from old mines to a treatment plant north of town, and local officials worry that a blockage in the tunnel could give way, releasing a flood of water and toxic debris that has built up in the tunnel.

H.R. 3123 and S. 1417, the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2009, assign responsibility of fixing and maintaining the drainage tunnel to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Because of legal confusion over which federal agency is responsible for repairing the blockage, neither the Bureau of Reclamation nor the Environmental Protection Agency has been able to agree on a long-term solution to the problem. 

“Although some steps have been taken to relieve the water pressure behind the tunnel blockage, we still have a serious underlying legal blockage to address.  We need to answer the question about which federal agency has the responsibility for long-term maintenance and water treatment in this mine drainage tunnel.  Congressman Lamborn and I have introduced a bill again this year to resolve this problem.  And I’m very hopeful that with a new Administration and a new Congress, we will be able to get a long-term solution.”  Senator Mark Udall

"Since Senator Udall and I first introduced legislation a year ago, I am pleased to note that the Bureau of Reclamation and the Environmental Protection Agency have worked together to make progress in addressing problems associated with the drainage tunnel. However, it is far from fixed. I am hopeful that Senator Udall and I can again work together to finally resolve this issue.”  Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) 

“The Lake County Colorado Board of County Commissioners wish to express their sincere appreciation to Representative Doug Lamborn and Senator Mark Udall for their introduction of companion bills regarding the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel.  HR-3123 and S-1417 will provide the designated responsibility for fixing and maintain the entire tunnel solely to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.  We expect that this legislation will provide for single agency authority to address the public safety concerns and environmental protection for the Arkansas River on a permanent basis.”—Kenneth Olsen, Carl Schaefer, Michael Bordogna, Lake County Board of Commissioners 

Last Congress, Members of the House passed similar legislation. 

Click here to see bill text for H.R.  3123.
Click here to see bill text for S. 1417
 

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