Toxic mine water in Nevada County to be treated in proposed massive Newmont project

After 10 years, a 182-acre project to collect and treat toxic wastewater from several abandoned gold mines in the Grass Valley area is finally in the works.

But despite the fact that the so-called North Star Water Treatment Facility is expected to clean up manganese, iron and arsenic-tainted water before it dumps into Wolf Creek as it is doing now some neighbors along Allison Ranch Road where Newmont Mining Corp. wants to build two 2-plus acres of water treatment ponds right next to Wolf Creek are not happy.

We couldnt agree more that the (North Star and Massachusetts Hill) mines toxic wastewater should be cleaned up, said 11-year resident Zora Biagini. We just dont think it should be at our expense, environmentally or financially.

Newmont spokesman Omar Jabara said Friday that the company worked for years to accommodate all the agencies and regulations in designing and siting the project. The companys staff last month met with neighbors to explain the project application, filed Dec. 31 with Nevada County. A public hearing before the countys Planning Commission is expected this summer.

Nonetheless, Biagini said she has many unanswered questions. Chiefly, Biagini said she doesnt understand why Newmont could not find another, more remote place for the ponds elsewhere on the 740 acres the firm owns in the area. On March 28 she sent a letter with her questions and grievances to Nevada County Senior Planner Tod Herman, who is processing Newmonts land use application.

Jabara, in response, said Newmont worked closely with city and state officials over the past 10 years to identify a viable location for the water treatment plant. Siting of the plant has been modified several times to accommodate various requirements from the city, state and others.

The current design was proposed to the Nevada County Planning Commission based on various physical, construction and regulatory constraints, Jabara added. Considerations were taken to site the facilities in locations which may be able to provide aesthetic screening. As discussed with residents during a recent field tour, we are open to suggestions that could provide further screening.

Herman, meanwhile, said the North Star Water Treatment Facility, as the county is calling the project, spans seven assessors parcels totaling 182 acres. Herman said the public will have ample opportunity for comment when the project comes before the Planning Commission.

He said he does not anticipate having to do a full environmental impact report.

We will likely be processing the application with a mitigated negative declaration, Herman said.

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Toxic mine water in Nevada County to be treated in proposed massive Newmont project