On March 29, 2016, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced he would allow the closed and toxic Anaconda Mine near Yerington, about 90 miles south of Reno, to be listed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List.
This means that finally, after two previous governors refused, this site is now officially acknowledged as one of the most in the nation in need of Federal Superfund money for further cleanup .
Lyon County officials, where the mine is located, have been against listing because of the possible perception that agriculture, the biggest economic sector of their economy, was or would be harmed by the mine cleanup. The cleanup should in no way affect the agricultural products of the county.
Residents north of the mine, many of whose domestic wells have high levels of radionuclides from the site, the Yerington Paiute tribal land and the groundwater can now be cleaned up to the highest degree possible!
Great Basin Resource Watch has worked as an ally of the local residents and the tribe to help bring about this major accomplishment for about a dozen years. “Endless Pressure Endlessly Applied” are the immortal words of Brock Evans adopted by GBRW and grassroots activists everywhere. Sometimes success is the result!