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EPA Proposes “Formosa Mine” Site for National Priorities List

Release Date: 03/07/2007
Contact Information: Ken Marcy, (206) 553-2782, marcy.ken@epa.gov Tony Brown, (206) 553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle, Wash. – March 7, 2007) EPA has proposed to list Formosa Mine on the Superfund "National Priorities List" (NPL). The mine, located in Douglas County, Oregon, qualifies for listing because it was found to pose serious, ongoing, threats to human health and the environment. The NPL is EPA's list of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term clean up action under Superfund.

Past mining at the site for copper, zinc, and thorium (used for computer chips) caused releases of heavy metals to the headwaters of Middle Creek and the South Fork of Middle Creek. Toxic metals are still draining from the site and have severely degraded 18 miles of stream habitat, including portions of Cow Creek. Most of this 18-mile stretch is unsuitable for fish or other aquatic life.

The 76-acre Formosa Mine site is on Silver Butte, about 25 miles south of Roseburg, Oregon, near the town of Riddle.

For additional information about the Formosa Mine site, please visit:
https://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/CLEANUP.NSF/sites/formosa
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