Document x15jQVowXwEnY8bVQ9rb8wgxQ

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: StClair, Christie [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=06618C5ED0E744A3BFE8443360018C26-STCLAIR/ CH] 8/4/2017 7:01:02 PM Doug Main \ Ex 6 i Press [/o=EXCTiaTgorausyua--irxuTange-HCCTrirhistrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] RE: GKM anniversary Doug, Thanks for your patience. Please attribute the response below to an agency spokesperson. Christie On the eve of the two-year anniversary of Gold King Mine spill, Administrator Scott Pruitt visited the site outside Silverton, Colo, to discuss his commitment to those affected by the release of 3-million-gallons of contaminated mine water into the Cement Creek and Animas River. Fulfilling his promise during his confirmation hearing to the people of Colorado to visit the site, Administrator Pruitt, along with U.S. Senators Cory Gardner and Michael Bennett and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper toured Gold King Mine, met with EPA Regional staff on site and discussed a path forward. When he was appointed EPA Administrator by President Trump, he committed to review the Gold King Mine decision made by the previous Administration that left so many impacted people without any support or help from the federal government. The Administrator believes that a new review is paramount to ensure that those who have, in fact, suffered losses have a fair opportunity to have their claims heard. Following the tour, EPA political appointees participated in a town hall in Durango, Colo, with local residents to hear directly from those living around the mine about how they have been affected by the spill. Additional Background: In January 2017, the previous EPA administration denied 79 administrative claims filed by farmers, ranchers, homeowners, businesses, employees, state and local governments, as well as other individuals seeking damages in connection with the Gold King Mine incident. On July 5, 2017, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced his decision to reconsider claims for Gold King Mine damages previously denied by the past Administration. As part of this process, EPA is continuing to review pending claims. EPA is working with its state and tribal partners to develop a long-term water quality monitoring program for the Animas and San Juan Rivers. Congress appropriated $4 million for this monitoring program in 2017 and has authorized funding for four more years. The Gold King Mine is included as one of the potential sources contributing to the Bonita Peak Mining District site, which EPA has added to the Superfund National Priorities List. The Bonita Peak Mining District site consists of 48 sources where historic mining operations have contaminated soil, groundwater and surface water with heavy metals. The site team is conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) at Bonita Peak to determine the nature and extent of contamination. As the Remedial Investigation continues, the site team -- including EPA, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service -- will conduct short-term actions to provide immediate water quality improvements in the Animas River. From: Doug Main j____________ Ex; 6___ Sent: Thursday, August 03, 207 6:01 PM Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028308-00001 To: StClair, Christie <StClair.Christie@epa.gov> Subject: Re: GKM anniversary Hi Christie, Sorry for the delay. Here are my questions, deadline 11:30 a.m. tomorrow: 1 What exactly is the EPA doing to clean water from Gold King? 2 What is the EPA doing to remediate water leaking out of the other mines in the area? 3 Are the levels of pollutants in the Cement, Animas and San Juan all within acceptable ranges? 4 Any comment on the Navajo Nation lawsuit? 5 Some locals felt like the story was really overblown by the media--that it wasn't the disaster it was made out to be. Any comment? 6 What are the plans for the SUPERFUND site? Thanks, Doug On Thu, Aug 3, 2017 at 12:48 PM, StClair, Christie <StClair.Christie@epa.gov> wrote: Doug, making sure you have my email so you can send me your questions. The more time we have, the better. I'm heading out shortly for a doc appointment, but I'll keep an eye out for your email. I'll be in tomorrow. Christie From: StClair, Christie Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2017 11:20 AM To:i Ex. 6 SuBj'ectl'G KM 'a hhive rsary Hi Doug, I'm the primary point person on Gold King Mine, and I'm happy to help if I can. Give me a call when you get a sec? 202-564-2880. Thanks, Christie On Aug 2, 2017, at 6:24 PM, Doug Main; Dear Enesta, Ex. 6 wrote: Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028308-00002 How are you? Hope all is well. I'm writing a story (for Newsweek) about the second anniversary of the Gold King spill, what's happened since then, what the EPA is doing, etc. I need the input from somebody at EPA. Would you be free to speak about it briefly over the phone tomorrow? I'm at- Ex. 6 i i___________________________________ ) Thanks much. All best, Doug Main Douglas Main Senior writer, Newsweek Ex. 6 Douglas Main Smoi_MLej_,.Newsweek ! j ! Ex. 6 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028308-00003