Eureka City officials discussed progress on a flood-control project and raised concerns about historic mine shafts and hand-dug wells under Main Street during the Sept. 22 meeting.

Kimberly Clements and other council members said Job County representatives reviewed concepts for flood control and that consultants would meet with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate shafts beneath the Silver Club and other properties. Mayor Tony Deaver and councilmembers said some openings have caved in and that previous remediation efforts at nearby properties were paused because of safety concerns around a shaft.

Council members and staff distinguished between actual mine shafts and hand-dug wells: one council member who inspected openings said two shafts under the Silver Club appeared to be true mine shafts and had been accessible in the past, while others said many openings in the area are historically hand-dug wells rather than mine shafts. The council asked consultants to determine whether the features cross public rights-of-way and to coordinate with the EPA and the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining if necessary.

Staff said the pavement-preservation portion of the transportation work related to the project is complete and consultants are finishing the traffic and technical reports. The council asked staff to report back after the consultant–EPA discussions and to identify any mitigation or additional study needed before construction.

No formal action was taken; the council treated the discussion as an update and instructed staff to continue coordination with federal and county agencies and report findings to the council.