Region 8

Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations

EPA, Bureau of Reclamation begin pumping and treating water from Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel
6/24-- EPA has begun pumping and transporting water from blocked mine workings in Lake County, Colo. to a treatment plant operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Water is currently being pumped at a rate of approximately 1,000 gallons per minute and is being sent to the plant via a 4,700-foot long pipeline. The water, which contains elevated concentrations of dissolved metals, is being safely treated before being sent to the Arkansas River. Press release / More on Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel.

Environmental Justice (EJ) Grant Workshop
6/23 -- The Region 8 EJ Program is hosting a Grant Workshop on August 5-6, 2008. The workshop will include many of the competitive grant programs EPA offers. These grants target nonprofit groups, tribal entities, academia and state and local governments. View the agenda and register for the workshop.

Coloradoan receives President's Volunteer Service Award for watershed protection efforts
6/19 -- EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson presented Hamilton Wright with the President’s Volunteer Service Award today. Mr. Wright, a 78-year-old retired businessman, devotes many hours volunteering to protect water quality in Vallecito Lake and the Pine River watershed near Durango, Colo. Press release.

EPA and Health and Human Services launch $8 million effort to study Libby, Montana Asbestos exposure
6/11 -- A 5-year research initiative, funded by HHS’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and EPA, will focus on determining whether exposure to lower levels of Libby asbestos is associated with increased risk of lung disease, cancer, chronic illnesses, auto-immune diseases or other adverse health outcomes. It is currently known that long-term exposure to high levels of asbestos is associated with lung cancer, serious lung disease and upper respiratory health conditions. Press release. / Fact sheet.

EPA releases 2008 Report on the Environment
5/20-- EPA issued the 2008 Report on the Environment today, presenting data and analysis for several dozen indicators of environmental and human health in the United States. The report also presents regional indicators, including nearly 30 for EPA Region 8 --Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Indicators include air pollutant emissions and concentrations, acid deposition, drinking water quality, land use patterns, population, fertilizer use, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, forestland, fish populations, carbon storage, climate, and more. Press release / Link to report.

More Press Releases

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August 4-7, 2008
2008 Air Toxics Summit
Boise, Idaho

September 7-11, 2008
3rd Annual National Summit of Mining Communities
Butte, Montana

October 2-3, 2008
EPA/ NGWA Remediation of Abandoned Mine Lands Conference
Denver, Colorado

November 11-14, 2008
North American Lake Management Society, 28th International Symposium - Lake Management in a Changing Environment.
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

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