THE HEAVY SNOWPACK IN THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS IS EXPECTED TO DREDGE UP RESIDUAL METALS FROM LAST YEAR’S GOLD KING MINE SPILL. THOSE METALS HAVE SETTLED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER. NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION.
THEIR CHIEF SCIENTIST, DENNIS MCQUILLAN, TELLS US THE SNOWPACK FLOW COULD PICK UP CONTAMINATION AND BRING IT INTO NEW MEXICO. HE SAYS IT COULD CREATE TREATMENT ISSUES FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS, AND HEALTH HAZARDS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE ALONG THE RIVER.
MCQUILLAN SAYS THEY’LL KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON DOMESTIC AND PRIVATE WELLS CLOSE TO THE SAN JUAN RIVER THAT COULD BE CONTAMINATED. INFORMATION WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE EPA IF THEY THINK ANY CONTAMINATION IS RELATED TO THE MINE SPILL.
