March 25, 2005 — Pipeline Infiltration Project Investigation released
NDEP has completed a comprehensive and detailed investigation report of the Pipeline Infiltration Project. The Pipeline Project is an open pit gold mine and process facilities located 60 miles southwest of Elko in Crescent Valley, Nevada.
The Pipeline Infiltration Project is comprised of multiple earthen basins and conveyance piping which are utilized to infiltrate dewatering water from the Pipeline Project. The investigation is a response to written submittal from Western Mining Action Project on behalf of Great Basin Mine Watch and the Western Shoshone Defense Project. NDEP is charged with protecting Nevada's groundwater and the Waters of the State. To this end, NDEP relies on public support in protecting these natural resources and appreciates concerns, such as this one, regarding potential degradation of waters of the state.
The results of the Pipeline Infiltration Project Investigation did not substantiate the allegation that contaminants in groundwater are moving off site. Monitoring wells at the currently active infiltration sites, with constituent levels above the drinking water standards, are all located within the mounded infiltration water that temporarily resides above the pre-existing groundwater table.
The NDEP has determined that such water does not constitute a source of usable water; and as such, compliance is focused upon the pre-established groundwater table. The investigation did identify that exceedances are present in the pre-established groundwater table at two infiltration sites, Filippini and Frome; however, these two sites were closed years ago and the affected groundwater is localized by low transmissivity soils with no apparent potential for migration that could adversely impact reasonable use of groundwater in the area.
The investigation did identify that further refinements could be made in the existing permitting and monitoring systems. The progressive implementation of the resulting investigation recommendations should provide additional measures to substantiate that current and future drinking water sources will not be degraded by the PIP operations.
Download NDEP Pipeline Infiltration Project Investigation (Adobe File 13 Pages, 120KB )
