EPA resolves violations with mining firm on SE Alaska Kensington mine

The developer of the Kensington gold mine near Juneau has agreed to pay more than $100,000 to settle violations of the federal Clean Water Act, federal officials announced Jan. 18.

Coeur Alaska Inc. will pay an $18,334 penalty to the Environmental Protection Agency for allowing construction sediment and debris to run into nearby creeks during heavy rainfall in 2005.

The company also has agreed to spend $90,000 for wetlands property near Juneau that will be protected from development.

EPA officials said turbidity from storm water run-off and aluminum in the water could harm the area fisheries.

"We hope this settlement sends the message statewide on the importance of protecting salmon-supporting waters from construction-related sediment discharges," said Mike Bussell, director of the EPA Office of Compliance in Seattle.

The company has since developed a storm water discharge plan and installed water filters to remove aluminum particles from waste water, according to the EPA.

The mine, about 40 miles northwest of Juneau, is under construction and expected to begin operations next year.

The 3.6-acre wetlands property will be managed as a conservation easement by the Southeast Alaska Land Trust.