April 4, 2024

At least $15 million in funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward protecting Dewey-Humboldt-area residents from contaminated waste at the Iron King Mine/Humboldt Smelter Superfund site.

According to the offices of Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, cleanup work will rid the soil of arsenic and consolidate the mine and smelter wastes into two permanent repositories on either side of State Route 69, keeping the waste out of drainages and the Agua Fria River. Both repositories will be periodically inspected, and maintained to make sure they remain intact and effective.

The Agency has already conducted soil removal and replacement in residential yards with the highest levels of arsenic and lead contamination; and this year, they will do free sampling and cleanup at additional homes. Affected residents will be contacted by EPA staff.

For more information visit epa.gov/superfund/ironkingmine.

Josh Freeman | KAZM News Director | josh@mellowmountainradio.com