Wednesday, 12 September 2007 23:44

State Department of Toxic Substances Looks at Proposed Home Depot Site

slide2As part of the proposed development for the Home Depot in Jackson the State Department of Toxic Substances has issued a clean up plan for the commercial development, which is part of the former Kennedy Mine property. The area of the proposed home improvement store, and separate commercial mall associated with the project, has historical gold mining activities associated with it. These include the Kennedy Mine Tailings property which borders the site to the east and the former Kennedy Gold Mine located approximately a half mile away. In addition, the former Argonaut Gold Mine is located approximately 1000 feet to the north of the site.
Waste from these mines and their tailings may have been transported to the site by natural and man made means. Based upon previous investigation results, site soils contain arsenic concentrations up to 133 mg/kg were detected. This amount is above local background levels and therefore requires the state clean up plan. Also, of concern to the state are lead levels on the property. The developers, and current owners of the 59-acre parcel submitted a voluntary plan to the state in advance of further development efforts with the city of Jackson. The City has no participation in this portion of the state Department of Toxic Substances’ plans or requirements. Those requirements include that a “removal and action plan” must be presented by these developers by January 2008 with a California Environmental Quality Review completed by February of 2008. Previous plans have been filed on this property with the original Voluntary Clean up Agreement  being completed in 2005.  A change to the 2005 agreement was completed this last July. The changes require that additions to the scope of the work required for the clean up,  as well as the associated costs, must be undertaken prior to completion of the project. The Public can comment on this plan during the public comment period which is open until Oct 5th. The plan is available at the Jackson Library or on line at www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov