RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada wants to back out of an agreement to designate a toxic mine a priority U.S. Superfund site, a move critics warn could ultimately leave state taxpayers on the hook for hundreds of millions dollars in cleanup costs.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press outline the state's attempt to defer the addition of the former Anaconda copper mine to the Superfund's National Priority List.
The Reno-based Great Basin Resource Watch says the unprecedented move would further delay cleanup of nearly 100 tons of uranium and other contaminants at the World War II-era mine about 80 miles southeast of Reno
State regulators argue the new strategy with private backing would save money over the next 10 years and better ensure faster cleanup.