Black Pine/Combination Mines Site

State TrusteeState of Montana
AO Bureau

Also Known As

None

Incident Type

Mining

State

Montana

Case Status

Restoration

Location

Granite County

Authority

Contaminants of Concern Include

Affected DOI Resources Include

Migratory Birds, Threatened and Endangered Species

Case Description

The Black Pine Mine is a legacy hard-rock mining site located in Granite County, Montana, within the Flint Creek watershed. Historical mining and milling activities beginning in the late 1800s resulted in the release of hazardous substances to surrounding soils, sediments, and surface waters, including South Fork Lower Willow Creek. The site contains mine waste tailings and waste rock associated with elevated concentrations of metals, including cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, silver, and zinc, which have posed risks to aquatic and riparian resources. Under the Montana Settlement Agreement, and in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) serves as the lead agency for remediation of the Black Pine Mine. Cleanup actions have included large-scale excavation and consolidation of contaminated materials into an on-site repository, as well as floodplain stabilization and revegetation. The property is currently managed by the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust (MECT). The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), acting as Trustee, will address natural resource damages and associated restoration using NRDAR settlement funds.

Post-remediation floodplain conditions at the Black Pine Mine, showing regraded areas following removal and consolidation of contaminated tailings., Credit: U.S. Forest Service

Hydroseeding and soil stabilization activities at the Black Pine Mine following regrading of mine waste areas, supporting revegetation and erosion control during site reclamation., Credit: U.S. Forest Service


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Case Contact

Case Trustees

AO Bureau
State TrusteeState of Montana

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