US EPA Anderson Calhoun Mine Mill
The Environmental Protection Agency Completed Cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removed hazardous substances in various containers and PCB-containing electrical equipment related to the former Anderson-Calhoun mining operation in 2002.
After further assessment of the hazards, EPA excavated and consolidated lead-zinc and barium tailings piles and covered them with a protective barrier in 2007. The barrier was meant to minimize erosion and direct contact with animals.
In 2011, an environmental covenant was filed allowing us to access the property to periodically inspect the condition of the barrier and ensure human health and the environment continue to be protected. The covenant also serves to warn any prospective property purchasers of the remaining contamination.
Periodic reviews
Ecology conducts periodic reviews to evaluate site conditions after cleanup is complete to ensure people and the environment are protected. We visited the site August 3, 2017, and found no indications that the cleanup has been compromised. You can learn more in the Periodic Review Report.
Cleanup Site Overview & Mining History
The entire site is approximately 200 acres; the area affected by former mining operations is approximately 92 acres. Mineral exploration, mining, and milling activities were conducted between 1910 and the early 1980s. Historic mining-related features at the site included:
- Two open pits used to mine zinc ores
- The remains of a flotation mill used to process zinc and barite ores
- A tailings impoundment used to contain the residues from the processing of zinc and barite ores
- Associated mining and milling infrastructure
The mill was abandoned after barite processing ended in the early 1980s.
Site use restrictions called institutional controls are in effect
Institutional controls can be fences, signs, or restrictions on how the property is used. For instance, an institutional control may prohibit installing drinking water wells or disturbing a protective cap that isolates contamination. These restrictions keep the contamination contained and keep people from being exposed to the contamination. The controls are usually listed in environmental covenants recorded with the county.
Periodic reviews are required when institutional controls are required at a site. Ecology conducts reviews to make sure the controls remain effective and the cleanup still protects human health and the environment. We conduct periodic reviews about every five years.
Institutional Controls 1
Environmental Covenant
Restrictions/Requirements
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict Access
- Restrict Land Use
- Restrictive Signage
Restricted Media
- Soil
Documents 3
Legal 1
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Environmental Covenant: Anderson Calhoun | 7/8/2011 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism |
Technical Reports 2
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Second Periodic Review: Anderson Calhoun | 10/24/2023 | Periodic Review (5 Year) |
| First Periodic Review: Anderson Calhoun | 9/29/2017 | Periodic Review (5 Year) |
Places to see print documents
-
Eastern Regional OfficeN 4601 Monroe StSpokane, 99205-1265Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 1
| Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | RA |
- S
- Suspected
- C
- Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
- B
- Below Cleanup Levels
- RA
- Remediated-Above
- RB
- Remediated-Below
- R
- Remediated