The company reported that approximately 500 to 2000 gallons of acid waters were released. The incident began when a tree fell over a power line creating a power fluctuation in Brohm's water treatment plant. This fluctuation caused a bypass valve on a pipeline to Strawberry Creek to partially open. This partially opened valve allowed acid mine waters into Strawberry Creek a tributary of Bear Butte Creek. The department is currently investigating the incident and enforcement action is pending until the results of water sample tests are completed.
Preliminary checks show no apparent impacts to fish or other aquatic life.
Brohm is making changes to their treatment plant plumbing to prevent any direct flow of acid waters from the plant to the stream. In conjunction with the hearing, the Board will inspect the large-scale gold mines on July 16 and 17, 1997. The hearing and inspections are open to the public. This hearing is being conducted in accordance with state mining statutes which require the Board to review South Dakota's reclamation standards upon the completion of 500 acres of reclamation. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has determined that over 500 acres have been reclaimed, allowing the Board's review to begin.