Independence, New York Complex, Ajax, and Magnolia (INAM) Mines
Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis
The USDA Forest Service is seeking input on a (Draft) Integrated Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for a Non-Time-Critical Removal Action for the Independence, New York Complex, Ajax, and Magnolia (INAM) Mines, which are located on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, approximately 2.5 miles north of the town of Granite, Oregon. The INAM mines are abandoned historic underground mines located in the Granite Mining District. Physical and environmental hazards resulting from mining operations are present and include contaminated waste rock and tailings with elevated metal concentrations, old remnant structures, adits, and open glory (or deep excavated) holes.
The Integrated EE/CA proposes to remove contaminated waste rock and soil from the mining sites to an on-site repository, backfill open mining holes, close adits, install infiltration basins or diversion ditches to route and collect adit seep water, and treat soil and water onsite to reduce elevated levels of dissolved metal concentrations.
The Forest Service invited the public to review and submit written comments during a 30-day public review/comment period beginning April 1, 2023. The Forest Service will consider all public comments on the Draft EE/CA before finalizing the document and issuing a Removal Action Memorandum.
A hard copy of the Draft EECA report may be reviewed at the North Fork John Day Ranger District, 401 West Main, Ukiah, OR, or at the Whitman Ranger District, 1550 Dewey Avenue - Suite A, Baker City, OR.
All written comments must have been e-mailed to the United States Forest Service OSC no later than April 30, 2023, for consideration in the Final EE/CA. The Draft EE/CA is available below.
For additional information, please contact Mario A. Isaias-Vera (USFS, On-Scene Coordinator) mario.isaias-vera@usda.gov; or Andrew Schamber (Regional Environmental Engineer) at Andrew.Schamber@usda.gov.
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