EPA has completed its review of response cost requests submitted by a number of entities impacted by the Aug. 5, 2015 Gold King Mine release, and sent notification letters to stakeholders regarding the final decisions. The notification documentation contains specific information on what costs were disallowed, and the basis for these decisions.
EPA’s evaluation of costs is consistent with the Agency’s legal authorities and the requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or Superfund. The agency can only reimburse documented and allowable incurred response costs submitted by government partners. Examples of reimbursable costs include field evaluations, sampling, laboratory analysis, and personnel.
Notification letters were sent to the following entities: Southern Ute Indian Tribe, San Juan County/Town of Silverton, La Plata County, City of Durango, the San Juan Basin Health Department, New Mexico and Navajo Nation. The agency is still reviewing reimbursements for Utah and Colorado.
You may need a PDF reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.- City of Durango Gold King Mine Cooperative Agreement (PDF)(5 pp, 363 K, December 8, 2016)
- La Plata County Gold King Mine Cooperative Agreement (PDF)(5 pp, 317 K, December 8, 2016)
- Navajo Nation GKM Cooperative Letter (PDF)(7 pp, 386 K, December 8, 2016)
- New Mexico Environment Department GKM Memo (PDF)(3 pp, 442 K, December 8, 2016)
- San Juan Basin Health Department Gold King Mine Cooperative Agreement (PDF)(4 pp, 321 K, December 8, 2016)
- San Juan County Gold King Mine Cooperative Agreement (PDF)(5 pp, 321 K, December 8, 2016)
- Southern Ute Indian Tribe Gold King Mine Cooperative Agreement (PDF)(8 pp, 238 K, December 8, 2016)