30 years ago – April 3, 1987
Despite opposition by the land owner and the City Council of Black Hawk, the emergency cleanup of the Gregory Incline and Tailings site began this week. It is the first site targeted for cleanup by a large project proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The four other locations are in either Gilpin or Clear Creek counties. Two future sites to be addressed by the EPA are the National Tunnel below Black Hawk and the Quartz Tunnel above the free parking lot in Central City. The next projected cleanup will be at the Argo Tunnel in Idaho Springs. The Big Five Tunnel, west of Idaho Springs in Clear Creek, is also on the EPA’s emergency list. According to Sharon Kerchief of the emergency response brand for the EPA, the contract to cleanup and correct the Gregory Incline and Tailings site was awarded to Kemp & Hoffman, Inc., of Denver. The exact cost of the project remains unknown although it is estimated to cost between $150,000 and $220,000. The EPA has not announced who will be responsible for the costs. Tuesday, a long 36 inch drainpipe was installed in the bed of North Clear Creek to divert the water away from the crib wall. Workmen spent a considerable amount of time placing sand bags around the pipe to divert the water into it. The process of installing the pipe entailed lowering it by a crane. The pipe to divert the water will be in place throughout the project. It is necessary to keep the area dry for installation of the gabion baskets. The initial project is only a short term solution. The work is expected to take four to six weeks.
Walter Jankowski, petitioner for the recall of Commissioners Leslie Williams and Alan Baird, said last week he would be able to furnish a more complete update on the recall for publication this week. The reporter from the Weekly Register-Call was unable to reach Jankowski during the week.
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