Blackbird Mine

Location

Contaminants of concern

• ARSENIC
• COBALT
• COPPER

Contaminated media

• Soil
• Groundwater
• Surface Water
• Sediment

Cleanup timeline

1. Initial Assessment Completed — 09/06/1985
2. Proposed to the National Priorities List — 05/10/1993
3. Finalized on the National Priorities List — Not Yet Achieved
4. Remedial Investigation Started — 11/18/1994
5. Final Remedy Selected — 03/03/2003
6. Final Remedial Action Started — 08/25/2003
7. Construction Completed — Not Yet Achieved
8. Deleted from National Priorities List — Not Yet Achieved
9. Most Recent Five-Year Review — 08/14/2023
10. Achieved Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Reuse — Not Yet Achieved

EPA references

• EPA facility record →
• EPA Superfund profile →

Understanding this Superfund site

Blackbird Mine is a federal Superfund site in Idaho. 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: Remedy selected. EPA has selected a cleanup remedy but construction has not yet begun. The remedy selection process involves a feasibility study, public comment period, and a Record of Decision documenting the chosen approach.

Contaminants of concern include arsenic, cobalt, copper. Contamination has been detected in soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment.

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.