Eureka Mills

Site Description

The Eureka Mills Superfund Site, located in Eureka, Utah (population 800), in Juab County, Utah. The Eureka Valley was known as the Main Tintic District and was heavily mined from the 1880's to the 1950's. Several large mine waste rock piles are located on the south side of town, extremely near residences and businesses. Mine waste has been distributed throughout the town of Eureka during mining activity and subsequent urban construction. Environmental sampling conducted at the site showed the presence of high levels of lead and arsenic in the soil. Sampling performed in the latter half of 2000 confirmed that the metals are present in the mine waste piles, in residential and non-residential soils, and within the interiors of some residences and commercial properties.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

• In 2000 and 2001, the Utah Department of Health and the Central Utah Public Health Department performed blood lead testing and conducted surveys on children who live in Eureka. Based on the alarming blood lead data, EPA has cleaned 71 residential yards with extremely high levels of lead in the soil since July 2001.
• In September 2002, EPA and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) selected a cleanup strategy for the site.
• In May 2003, EPA, the UDEQ, and their contractors completed the site's cleanup plan. The cleanup plan calls for the removal of contaminated soil from residents' yards, replacing it with clean soil, and replanting the yards with new plants and shrubs. The plan also calls for the areas of mine waste to be stabilized and covered with a clean material and rock to prevent direct human contact as well as erosion by wind and water.
• During the summer of 2003, EPA will regrade and securely cover the Gemini and Bullion Beck mine waste piles, and the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) will begin the cleanup of the remaining lead-contaminated yards and mine waste areas.
• Building ordinances, a health education program, and on-going blood lead testing will be implemented to protect Eureka residents from the lead contamination. EPA keeps the community informed by writing and publishing fact sheets, holding monthly briefings for the City Council, and having informal discussions with residents during the construction season.
• EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human health or the environment pending the start of long-term cleanup work.

Current Funding Status

• To date, EPA has spent approximately $10 million dollars at the site.
• In Fiscal Year 2003, the Eureka Mills Superfund Site will receive $3.8 million dollars to conduct the cleanup work described above.

For more information on this site, please read the Fact Sheet on the Region 8 Superfund Web site.