Rep. LaMalfa Urges Interior and EPA to Assess Iron Mountain Mine Drainage

Washington, DC - Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today released the following statement after authoring a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy regarding federal efforts to contain highly toxic drainage at Iron Mountain Mine in Redding, CA. The EPA and Interior halted work at Iron Mountain after the Gold King Mine disaster in Colorado released millions of gallons of waste into two rivers. Similar to the Gold King Mine, Iron Mountain Mine has extremely toxic wastewater that could contaminate the water source of much of California.

"Iron Mountain mine is one of the most toxic sites in America and is located perilously close to the Sacramento River, which provides drinking water for millions of Californians. Given the fact that EPA contractors have failed to adequately contain similar sites in other states, I believe the EPA and the Department of Interior must act to ensure the drainage from this inactive mine is being handled appropriately," said LaMalfa. "Failing to secure this highly toxic drainage could have devastating consequences for our state. I urge Secretary Jewell and EPA Administrator McCarthy to make Iron Mountain mine a top priority."

During a House Committee on Natural Resources hearing last week, Rep. LaMalfa had the opportunity to directly question Secretary Jewell on this topic. A copy of their exchange may be found here (CLICK here).

A copy of the letter sent to Interior Secretary Jewell and EPA Administrator McCarthy may be found here (CLICK here).

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

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