EPA has implemented site control measures to stabilize the mine tailings waste onsite, manage stormwater, and prevent future releases to the environment. The engineering design for the site cleanup, including the mine tailings cap, residential areas, wetlands, and wooded areas adjacent to the mine tailings, is ongoing.
| City | Galena |
|---|---|
| County | Jo Daviess County |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 42.35742, -90.39857 |
Bautsch Gray Mine is a federal Superfund site in Illinois. The Superfund program, created by Congress in 1980, addresses sites where hazardous substances have been released or threaten release into the environment. EPA scores potential sites using the Hazard Ranking System; those that score high enough are placed on the National Priorities List.
Current status: Cleanup underway. Active cleanup is underway, meaning EPA has approved a remediation plan and work is in progress. Cleanup timelines vary widely — some sites take decades depending on contamination depth, groundwater involvement, and funding availability.
EPA has identified 10 contaminants of concern at this site, including aluminum, antimony, arsenic. Contamination has been detected in soil.
If you live near this site and have health concerns, your state health department can provide site-specific guidance. EPA maintains a community involvement program for most NPL sites, and site documents — including the Record of Decision, five-year reviews, and public health assessments — are typically available through EPA's Superfund site profile.