Projects

Elkhorn Creek, Mine, and Mill

Project Description

Since 2020, BHWC and partners have been working together to create a restoration plan for the area around the historic Elkhorn Mine and Mill, including Elkhorn Creek. This project is off the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway near Wise River in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Project partners are listed below.

Area History

1872-1965: Mining for gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc.
1914: Mining camp of Coolidge formed.
1922-1950: Mine in operation. Mine never met the capacity of the processing facilities and the high cost of
transportation, power, and processing.
2000’s: USFS conducts major cleanup of streamside tailings, diversion of adit water, hazardous materials.

Impairments

Elkhorn Creek exceeds heavy metals standards for aquatic life and provides poor quality habitat for native Westslope Cutthroat trout and Arctic grayling.
Actively flowing adit that discharges an estimated 150 gallons per minute into Elkhorn Creek.
Groundwater seeps below waste dump and mill area.
Public access to contaminated surface soils and waters; site hazards.

Project Background

BHWC and partners have been conducting studies and investigations to learn more about the site and the extent of the problem.

2020: Encouraged by FWP fisheries biologist, BHWC approaches USFS to characterize current conditions with aim to develop remedy for site.
- Cultural inventory, LiDar imagery
- BHWC gets water quality monitoring plan approved by DEQ and funding for lab analysis
2021: USFS signs Partnership Agreement with BHWC. BHWC secures additional funds for lab analysis
- Data collection: Surface water quality, PCB screening, preliminary loading characterization.
- Montana Tech deploys groundwater monitoring program.
- Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology flies video drones into adit to study infiltration
2022: BHWC secures funds for pilot biofiltration demonstration and metals loading study
- Volume of contaminated materials (tailings) estimated at 59,514 cubic yards.
- Montana BioAgriculture successfully deploys mycelial filter for adit water.
2023: BHWC secures funding for a repository investigation and preliminary design concepts. USFS secures BIL funds for EE/CA.
- Mycelial filter report shows promise for remedy in areas of high metals concentration, low water volumes, such as waste rock and mill seepage sites.

Next Steps and Needs

2023
- BHWC contract with Pioneer Technical Services for EE/CA, Repository Investigation and Design Concepts
- BHWC contract with Montana BioAgriculture for Design Concepts for biofiltration
- USFS inventory and begin decision-making on cultural resources- Which to mitigate, which to avoid
2024
- EE/CA completed and preliminary remedy alternatives developed
- USFS visitation plan/Recreation Management decisions for inclusion in EE/CA; Cultural resources key
- USFS and BHWC begin raising profile of Elkhorn Site for Federal Funding- LWCF; America the Beautiful; BIL, etc.
- BHWC proposal to RDG Mine Site Reclamation Program for continued design/implementation (up to $300,000).
2025
- Final Remedy Approved
- Major Funding Proposed and/or Secured
- Preliminary remedial actions begin
2026
- Remedial Actions