This report assumes results for the Rio Blanco site assessment will mirror those obtained during the Rulison site assessment. Since 1979, the Department has monitored the surrounding areas of the two sites as part of the Long-Term Hydrologic Monitoring Program. Sampling requires approximately one week per year per site, plus analyzing approximately 20 samples per site per year. The Department funds the program, and the Environmental Protection Agency operates it under a Memorandum of Understanding. Monitoring required as a result of Resource and Conservation Act closure activities is discussed in the Long-Term Surveillance and Monitoring section below.
Contamination consists of soil contaminated with metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.
This estimate assumes that the remedial action at the sites will include removing the pond sediment from the drilling mud pit at Rulison and removing contaminated surface soils associated with drilling mud at Rio Blanco. Remediation of the mud pit at Rulison began in FY 1995. The waste was staged onsite and then sent offsite to an appropriately permitted commercial disposal facility. All remedial action at this site will be complete in FY 1996. This report assumes the remedial action at Rio Blanco will be complete in FY 2005.