Leadville legislative fix moves ahead

Legislation that would require the Bureau of Reclamation to take responsibility for a water-laden mine drainage tunnel in Leadville moved out of committee today.

But the bill from Reps. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican, and Mark Udall, an Eldorado Springs Democrat, still must clear a few hurdles before it can become law.

The House Resources Committee unanimously approved the bill, but it must get a vote on the House floor. The calendar is crowded and time is short, Udall said, adding, “I’m optimistic.’’

The bill requires the federal agency to shore up the structure to reduce the risk of collapse and prevent future buildups of mine runoff. Lawmakers and residents of the area fear the tunnel could spew a river of mine run-off into the Arkansas River and potentially into homes.

The House bill differs somewhat from one in the Senate from Sen. Ken Salazar, a Democrat. The Lamborn and Udall bill requires the spending of enough money to remedy the problem, but does not allocate a dollar amount. That would mean money would have to be allocated by the Appropriations Committee. The Salazar bill calls for $40 million in spending.

Salazar’s legislation also would require the Interior Department to study whether the tunnel's water buildup has affected water quality in the Arkansas River.

“It’s time for the Bureau of Reclamation to step up and do it’s duty,’’ Udall said.

The bureau has said that although it will drain the water in this emergency situation, it does not have the legal authority to do so in the future. The bill would change that. The bureau did not take a position on the bill, but urged waiting for results of a study that will show exactly how much damage is in the tunnel.

“They’ve been dragging their heels for years now,’’ Lamborn said of the Bureau of Reclamation, adding that the study is due this month.

Some work on the tunnel already has begun. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month started drilling a well into the tunnel to ease the water build-up, a move the agency called “an important step towards the removal and treatment of large volumes of metals-contaminated water.’’

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