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Project 20
Technical Support of EPA Region 9
Mine Restoration Enforcement Action
California, Nevada, Arizona, and Navajo Nation
Burleson was awarded an indefinite deliverable/ indefinite quantity contract to support U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) efforts at restoration of abandoned mine lands (AML) throughout EPA Region 9. Burleson is providing technical support to EPA at the Leviathan Mine Superfund Site, located in Alpine County, California under this contract.
The Leviathan Mine is an inactive sulfur mine located on State of California and National Forest System lands on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was opened in the late 1800s, converted to an open-pit operation in 1951, and abandoned in 1962.
The Leviathan Mine is a Superfund site regulated under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) by the EPA. Acid drainage from this site enters streams that flow to the Carson River. The EPA ordered Atlantic Richfield Company to install and operate water treatment systems; and supervises State of California activities to improve water quality. At Leviathan there are two active water treatment systems that operate over the spring, summer, and fall, but are discontinued in the winter due to weather conditions. These systems treat Channel Underdrain, Delta Seep, Adit, and Pit Underdrain flows during the treatment season (May through October). A bioreactor also operates year-round to treat acid drainage from the Aspen Seep. Burleson's work includes inspection of water treatment activities at three treatment systems, inspection of construction progress at a new treatment plant, measurement of water quality parameters at 15 locations, measurement of groundwater elevations at 12 locations, preparation of weekly and annual oversight reports, and technical document review.
Water Quality Monitoring
Burleson visits the Leviathan Mine
bi-weekly and collects water quality measurements at up to 15 surface water monitoring stations. Water quality is monitored to support evaluation of the effectiveness of seasonal water treatment efforts at the site. Burleson documents watershed conditions before treatment begins, during the treatment season, and after treatment ends each year. This information is combined with information collected by the Regional Water Quality Control Board-Lahontan Region (Regional Board) to evaluate compliance with water quality objectives; and with macro-invertebrate data to evaluate impacts on biota.
Construction Monitoring
Burleson monitors ongoing construction to evaluate progress as compared to designs, plans, and project schedules. Burleson communicates with representatives from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) to assess progress in water treatment at on-site ponds; and with Atlantic Richfield to assess progress in treating water from acid seeps. Burleson observes site conditions as compared to verbal reports and project plans/designs and prepares weekly reports documenting observations, identifying deviations from plans/designs, and documenting resulting recommendations to improve progress.
BMP Assessment
Burleson inspects roads, water crossings and storm water controls at the Leviathan Mine. Observations are made to assess the conditions of the access roads and their potential to impact project timelines. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are evaluated to ensure their continued effectiveness and to identify improvements and/or need for maintenance to preserve their usefulness at protecting water quality.
Technical Support to EPA
Burleson also performs analysis of technical documents and assists EPA in preparing comments on the reports.
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