Corona and Twin Peaks Mine Drainage Treatment Project

In 2011, Tuleyome was awarded a three-year, $1.5 million dollar grant by the California Department of Fish and Game's Ecosystem Restoration Program to address drainage waters from the Corona and Twin Peaks Mines in northwest Napa County. This page contains information about the project.

Background

The Corona and Twin Peaks Mines are inactive mercury mines from the East Mayacmas Mercury District (Yates and Hilpert, 1946). Recent investigations by the US Geological Survey have documented that these mines release iron, sulfate, nickel, and mercury to the James Creek watershed (USGS, 2007).

This mining legacy contributes to the listing of the following waterbodies as impaired: James Creek (nickel and mercury), Lake Berryessa (mercury), and lower Putah Creek (mercury and boron). James Creek has been identified as prime trout habitat. Lower Putah Creek is a wild trout stream that drains into the Yolo Bypass, a nationally recognized fish rearing, wildlife habitat, farming, and flood control area with some of the highest mercury concentrations in the Bay-Delta. Fish consumption advisories are posted for Lake Berryessa and for lower Putah Creek because of fish mercury contamination.

Use of semi-passive biogeochemical technologies to address mine drainage is documented to significantly improve quality of receiving waters, and reduce or eliminate toxicity effects in receiving waters (USEPA, 2006).

Project Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this project is to develop and demonstrate a cost-effective, legal approach for mine remediation involving private landowners, non-profit organizations, regulators, and other stakeholders. This project will design, implement, and document the effectiveness of semi-passive treatment technology to remediate the impacts of discharges from remote, inactive mercury mine sites. The project's key objectives are to:

1. Characterize and remediate toxic mine site
2. Facilitate transfer of ownership of critical open space
3. Demonstrate effective project management for toxic mine site clean up
4. Investigate and resolve liability issues
5. Demonstrate innovative technologies

The Project Team

Click to view the project team including project lead, project manager, and team members

Stakeholders

Click here to view the federal, state, regional and other agencies and individuals interested in mercury remediation in our region and in this project

Power Point Presentation

Corona and Twin Peaks mines overview pdf

Documents:

1. Tuleyome Awarded 1.4 Million for Abandoned Mine Remediation

2. Dept of Fish & Wildlife Document
ERP GRANT AGREEMENT

3. Corona and Twin Peaks Mine Drainage Treatment Project Document
♦ Final Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
♦ Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program

Green House Gas Emissions & Emission Reductions
♦ GHG Checklist and notes
♦ GHG Calculations

Corona and Twin Peaks Mines Biological Survey
♦ Report of Findings Reconnaissance Level Biological Survey
♦ 2012 Fall Initial Bat Survey

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