Operable Unit 00 – Site Evaluation/Disposition, National, Elvins, Leadwood, Bonne Terre East, Bonne Terre West, and Desloge piles undergo annual operation and maintenance inspections with the most recent inspection occuring in December 2024. Portions of the Leadwood and Bonne Terre East piles also operate as a soil repository.
| City | Desloge |
|---|---|
| County | St Francois County |
| State | Missouri |
| Coordinates | 37.87810, -90.53934 |
Big River Mine Tailings St Joe Minerals Corp is a federal Superfund site in Missouri. 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.
Contaminants of concern include lead. 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.