30 years ago – April 5, 1991
The Inactive Mine Reclamation Program (IMP) has safely secured over 300 mine shafts in and around Black Hawk and Central City so far. Project manager Jim Herron informed the Board of County Commissioners on Monday that 102 additional shafts are scheduled for capping this summer. The area of concentration this summer, said Herron, will be in the Lake Gulch District, where approximately 80 shafts will be covered. The remaining caps will be installed toward the Russell Gulch District, he said. This is an important program, said Dave Bucknam, program supervisor, especially now when the county is expecting a tremendous influx of visitors. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division. The program is designed to protect local residents and visitors alike from the dangers common to once-active mining areas such as Gilpin County. Not only are open shafts covered, but also open portals and adits. Surface subsidence and mine drainage are also addressed. Last year Herron supervised a mine drainage cleanup in the Gamble Gulch area. He is happy to announce that test samples of water taken from the wetland installed during the project show the mine drainage now below toxic levels for trout. Mine capping is a voluntary program between property owners and the IMPS. Removable caps or those that allow access to mines are available, helping protect owners from liability while still giving them access to the mines.
60 years ago – April 14, 1961
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