KEYSTONE, Colo.—An old mine blamed for polluting a tributary of the Snake River will cost much more than originally thought to clean up.
The Pennsylvania Mine just north of Keystone is blamed for high levels of pollution in Peru Creek. The conservation group Trout Unlimited signed on to coordinate the cleanup a few years ago, estimating the work would cost about $1 million.
But now the group says the cleanup will cost about $20 million over about two decades and require a new water treatment plant.
Trout Unlimited says Congress should pass a law making it easier for volunteer groups to help with cleanup efforts. Scientists say other sources of pollutants, not just the mine, may be harming the creek.
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Information from: Summit Daily News,
