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Rico trustees press for independent sampling and consider chip‑seal to cap mine waste on town streets
Summary
Trustees discussed recent surfacing of orange mine‑waste material after county grading and debated options including independent town sampling and chip‑seal capping. Staff said AR/Atlantic Bridge Field sampling plans exist but access agreements are pending; trustees signaled interest in town‑led sampling to build a baseline and in interim dust‑control measures.
Town staff reported June 17 on new evidence of mine‑waste material surfacing in several rights‑of‑way after recent grading. The staff memo explained that Atlantic Bridge Field (AR) provided a sampling plan and that an access agreement would add properties to a county sampling cruise; however, trustees and residents expressed frustration at long delays and inconsistent coverage.
Town Manager Chauncey said the town has a qualified soil‑management contractor and can conduct independent sampling and lab testing if the board wishes. Staff estimated that an independent sampling exercise for a set of 10 spots could cost in the order of $7,000 and recommended near‑term verification sampling in locations that now show orange discoloration.
Trustees debated remediation approaches. Chip‑seal (a capping approach that uses a bituminous oil plus aggregate) was discussed as a lower‑cost interim cap with an expected life of roughly 15 years compared with full asphalt; staff said chip‑seal may reduce dust and be easier for town maintenance than full pavement. Trustees noted that some remediation funding and stormwater work is tied to an AR exhibit map and that gaps in that map complicate which segments AR will fund for full remediation.
Board direction included interest in independent sampling to document newly exposed pockets, continuing negotiations with AR and state regulators, and considering chip‑seal as a targeted interim measure where public health exposure is evident. Staff said they would coordinate sampling, pursue work‑session review of engineering constraints and report back with costs and a proposed scope.
