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EPA adds Utah site to Superfund list

Release Date: 6/27/2000
Contact Information:
EPA 303/312-6757,

Release Date: 6/27/2000
Contact Information:
EPA 303/312-6160,

Release Date: 6/27/2000
Contact Information:
EPA 303/312-6600,

Release Date: 6/27/2000
Contact Information:
UDEQ 801/536-4170

Denver -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today added the former International
Smelting and Refining Site to EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites.

The NPL is a published list of U.S. hazardous waste sites that are eligible for comprehensive cleanup under the Superfund program. Listing on the NPL makes the site eligible to receive federal funds for site characterization and cleanup while EPA seeks to recover costs from those responsible for the contamination. Placing the site on the NPL also allows EPA to use Superfund money for cleanup when there are no responsible parties who can pay for the work.

The International Smelting and Refining Site is located on the west flank of the Oquirrh Mountains near the mouth of Pine Canyon. The site was the location of a copper smelter which operated from 1910 until 1946. There was also a lead smelter operating at the site from 1912 through early 1972.

The site is approximately 1,200 acres. Sources of contamination are tailings, metals-contaminated slag, settlings ponds, landfills and smelter wastes from site operations. The primary contaminants are arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and zinc. A 1985 study documented tainted dust blowing off tailings piles. EPA believes the contamination in the area may pose a risk to children and other sensitive individuals. “ The potential problem is serious enough to warrant federal Superfund involvement,” said an EPA Superfund official in Denver.

Listing of this site on the NPL provides immediate funding for cleanup work and guarantees the public an opportunity to participate in cleanup decisions.

Information that EPA used to document the proposed listing of the site is available at:

Tooele City Library
128 West Vine Street
Tooele, UT 84074
(435) 882-2182

Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Environmental Response and Remediation
1950 West North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4840
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

U.S. EPA Records Center
999 19th Street, 5th Floor
Denver, CO 80202-2466
(303) 312-6473
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.