Idaho

Idora Mine and Mill

The Idora Mine and Mill is located within the boundaries of the Seattle District of the Corps of Engineers. This is a virtual team effort between Seattle and Omaha Districts. The federal partner with the Corps for this project is the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

The Corps Project Delivery Team (PDT) is assisting the USFS in a field investigation and contract management for this mine site.

 

The Idora mine and mill site are located in the headwaters of Beaver Creek, a tributary of the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Shoshone County, Idaho. The Beaver Creek watershed has been identified by the U.S. Forest Service as a priority watershed for Abandoned Mine Land reclamation. In addition, the BLM and State of Idaho are also actively involved with abandoned mine reclamation at other sites in the Beaver Creek watershed.

Project Description

A total of 6 surface water samples, 6 sediment samples and ten mine waste samples were collected and analyzed to determine contamination related to arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. Stream flow rate measurements were taken to determine stream discharge. A riparian health assessment was conducted in the area to assess the types, health, and density of riparian vegetation, as well as geomorphological features. A topographic survey was also be performed in the area to determine current grading and to obtained coordinates of sampling locations.

Project Goals

The goals of this site investigation are to:

  • identify potential contaminant sources and collect environmental samples to determine whether or not significant contamination exists and has the potential to impact human health or the environment and

  • determine whether or not contaminated mine wastes and soils should be removed.

 

Current Status

Field work for this project was completed in early October 2002. The modification for preparation of the reports using funds voluntarily contributed by USFS was awarded in February 2003. The draft report was available for review and comment in March 2003. The final report was completed in July 2003.

Existing Documents

As documents for this project become available, they will be provided in PDF format that can be accessed by clicking on the title of the document below. The General RAMS Work Plan and General Site Safety and Health Plan are referenced in project work plans. These documents may be accessed from menu to the left. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these documents and may be downloaded free of charge from the Adobe Acrobat web site by clicking on Adobe Acrobat Reader above. Disclaimer: The appearance of an external hyperlink does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) of this web site or the information, products, or services contained therein. USACE does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at this location.