Telluride Valley Floor Work Continues

Norwood, Colorado, May 22, 2024 — The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, in partnership with Trout Unlimited (TU), announced that reconstruction work will begin mid-June at the Telluride Valley Floor site (Site) in San Miguel County, Colorado. The site, accessible via Boomerang Road and recreational trails from the Town of Telluride, covers approximately 34 acres. The bridge reconstruction and removal of the remaining mine tailings are set to begin in June and conclude September 2024. River restoration and revegetation work are projected to be completed in 2025.

Between 2020 and 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency carried out a Removal Action to address around 50,000 cubic yards of mine tailings contaminated with arsenic and lead. These tailings were historically deposited along the riverbanks and floodplains at the site. The amount of tailings encountered and removed from the site was approximately double the initial estimates, resulting in a significant shortfall of material on-site.

The planned work includes:

• Reconstruction of the Boomerang Bridge. Recreational trails at the site will be re-routed around the construction areas. The portion of the San Miguel River that flows through the site will be closed to floaters during portions of the bridge construction. Closure signs and fencing will be posted on the re-routed trails and the river closure.
• Removal of the small amount of mine tailings expected to be underneath and around the old bridge foundations concurrently with the reconstruction of the Boomerang Bridge. The tailings will be transported and disposed of at a Forest Service-approved off-site landfill. They will not be transported through the Town of Telluride. Sedimentation control and other measures will be taken to safely remove the tailings without causing a release.
• Stabilization of eroding riverbanks.
• Realignment of the San Miguel River to mitigate the potential for river avulsion and to increase sinuosity.
• Revegetation of barren areas affected by previous actions at the site.

“The GMUG National Forests and project partners see this site as a “blank canvas” and are excited about the partnerships this project has already created, said Acting Norwood District Ranger Brian Hoefling. We look forward to restoring this site’s ecological function as it serves as a case study of collaboration and a unique approach to restoration.”

A public meeting hosted by TU is planned for June 6 at Telluride Town Park (under the white awning) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Specialists will discuss the upcoming plans to reconstruct the Boomerang Bridge and the proposed restoration of National Forest System lands along the Telluride Valley Floor. Refreshments will be provided. Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. Parking is limited.

For additional information regarding the proposed actions, contact Bryan Barrett, GMUG National Forests On-Scene Coordinator, at Bryan.Barrett2@usda.gov or 970-250-5024.

For information and updates on current fire restrictions, conditions, and recreation opportunities on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, visit the forest website. Connect with us on social media (X (Twitter) and Facebook).

####

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests manage approximately 3 million acres of land in Southwest Colorado within Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache, San Juan and San Miguel counties.