FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2004
Contact:
Dianne Nielson, Natural Resource Damage Trustee, (801) 536-4402
(Salt Lake City, Utah) - Natural Resource Damage Trustee Dianne Nielson announces the formation of a Stakeholder Forum for the Southwest Jordan Valley Groundwater Cleanup Project.
The purpose of the Forum is to share information with affected parties, facilitate a better understanding of technical issues and discuss issues surrounding the cleanup of groundwater contamination by historical mining activities in the Oquirrh Mountains in Salt Lake County.
"This Forum is a response to requests from the public that communication be strengthened," Nielson said. "It is in addition to formal public comment periods, which will remain an important part of the overall process."
The Forum consists of representatives from area private well owners; environmental groups; duck clubs; Salt Lake County; cities of Copperton, Herriman, South Jordan, West Jordan and Riverton; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Geological Survey; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Department of Environmental Quality; Division of Oil, Gas and Mining; Division of Water Rights; Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District; and Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation.
Nielson chairs the Forum and will work with a vice chair, selected by Forum members, to develop agendas. The Forum will meet at least quarterly. Discussions will focus on agenda items and will be limited to those issues over which the Trustee has authority, Nielson said.
The Forum's first meeting will be Wednesday, March 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the South Jordan City Council Chambers, 1600 W. Town Center Dr., in South Jordan.
"Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings and listen to the presentations and Forum discussions," Nielson said. No formal votes will be taken.
Meeting agendas and summaries will be posted on the Web at www.deq.utah.gov/issues/nrd/index.htm.
Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, in partnership with the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, is proposing to extract and treat sulfate-contaminated groundwater in southwest Salt Lake County. The resulting municipal-quality drinking water will be distributed by the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District to the cities of West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton and Herriman. This treatment process will also help Kennecott contain the contaminated groundwater plumes.
The Trustee's public comment period on the proposal closed in late November. Nielson is reviewing public comments and finalizing the response summary.