A Lake County commissioner who pushed the federal government to drain a blocked mine tunnel in Leadville wants $20,000 to bury on his property a pipeline rerouting the contaminated water.
Ken Olsen told the Environmental Protection Agency that he wants to be paid for granting a right of way across the path of his tourist train, the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad. “We hope they’ll change their mind,” said Jennifer Lane, community-involvement officer for the federal agency. “We plan to work with the owners to address their concerns, short of paying money, and we will ensure the land is restored after installation is complete.”
Olsen, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, was among the most vocal proponents for action on the blocked Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel, prompting the EPA to begin work on a 4,600-foot-long pipeline that will take pooled water to a treatment plant. Steve Lipsher, The Denver Post
