Silverton, San Juan Co. officials vote unanimously to begin process of applying for Superfund status

San Juan County and Silverton, Colorado officials voted unanimously Monday evening to begin the process of applying for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund status to clean up multiple mines in the area that are at risk of spilling into local water sources.

Their Monday votes means the next step is sending Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper a letter requesting he send a letter to the EPA that requests Superfund status.

The Durango Herald has reported there are 48 mines in southern Colorado that face similar situations as the Gold King Mine, which ruptured during EPA construction and spilled thousands of gallons of waste into local waterways.

Becoming a Superfund area would funnel millions of federal dollars to the area to help the at-risk mines, but a cleanup would still be years away. The EPA would have to analyze the problems at the mines before beginning work.

New Mexico officials will hold an information meeting for the public at San Juan College in Farmington Monday evening as well. They’ll update residents on what’s being done to ensure the water is safe a drinkable.

This story originally appeared at KOB.com