EPA Releases Internal Report on Gold King Mine Response

WASHINGTON – Today (August 26, 2015) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the findings of an internal review of the agency’s response to the Gold King Mine incident. Led by five EPA personnel from multiple EPA regions and Headquarters, the reviewers were tasked with developing a detailed, chronological description of events as well as identifying potential factors contributing to the release.

The report provides observations, conclusions, and recommendations that regions may apply to ongoing and planned site assessments, investigations, and construction or removal projects at similar types of sites across the country. EPA will implement all the recommendations from the report and has shared its findings with external reviewers.

In addition to the internal review, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is leading an independent assessment of the factors that led to the Gold King Mine incident. The assessment began on Tuesday, August 18, and it is anticipated that DOI will provide the assessment report to EPA and the public within 60 days. The goal of DOI’s independent review is to provide EPA with an analysis of the incident that took place at Gold King Mine, including the contributing causes. Details about the independent review will be made available by DOI when they become available. Both internal and external reviews will help inform EPA with ongoing and planned site assessments, investigations, and construction or removal projects.

To read the report and its associated documents:
http://www.epa.gov/goldkingmine/internal-investigation-documents