Gold King Mine Spill: 3 Million Gallons of Contaminated Water Flow Into Animas River

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took responsibility for a breach at Gold King Mine that caused an estimated 3 million gallons of water contaminated with arsenic, lead, and other chemicals to flow into the Animas River near Durango, Colorado.

According to preliminary testing data the EPA released Sunday, arsenic levels in the Durango area of the Animas River were, at their peak, 300 times the normal level, and lead was 3,500 times the normal level… Both metals pose a significant danger to humans at high levels of concentration.

The Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management; the city of Durango, Colorado; La Plata County, Colorado; and the states of Colorado and New Mexico have all declared states of emergency. Baron & Budd’s Environmental Litigation Group is closely monitoring the spill and its aftermath.

USA Today: EPA: Pollution from mine spill much worse than feared