Local News

Update Water Quality Permit Issued for Buckhorn Mine

Feb 28, 2014

An updated wastewater discharge permit issued to the Buckhorn Mine in Okanogan County will better protect water quality and help correct environmental problems that have challenged the mine since operations began in 2007.

The Washington Department of Ecology issued the updated water quality permit to Crown Resources, which operates the gold mine, following negotiations with the company and environmental interests. The permit takes effect March 1.

Under the new permit, the mining company has until the end of 2014 to comply with more protective standards. The updated permit authorizes new outfalls where the mine can discharge treated water from its wastewater treatment plant back to the environment.

Treated water from the mine can be discharged to surface waters in Gold Bowl Creek, Nicholson Creek and Marias Creek. Untreated non-industrial stormwater can be discharged to the ground, in compliance with Ecology’s water quality standards.

The permit also requires the mine to correct failures to capture and contain contaminants from the mine that resulted in a penalty in 2012.