Neighbor report triggers environmental inquiry
By Gwendolyn Craig
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include new information provided by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. It also corrects the flow of Thirteenth Brook.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating how a brook near Barton Mines turned grayish brown on July 7 in the Town of Johnsburg, and is working with the company “to facilitate increased erosion and sediment controls measures at the facility.” The DEC said there is no public health threat.
A nearby resident noticed the water discoloration in a tributary, Brown Pond Brook, which receives stormwater runoff from the garnet mining operation. The brook, according to Barton Mines records, contains native brook trout. It also converges into wetlands under Adirondack Park Agency jurisdiction and outflows into Thirteenth Brook.
The resident shared photos of the muddied waters with the Adirondack Explorer and the department, and filed a complaint with the DEC’s spill response team. The photos were also shared with Barton Mines.
In a spill report, the DEC reported an unknown amount of an unknown material affected the surface water of the brook and Thirteenth Lake. The DEC had more information available on Friday after the Explorer published its original story. The department said “(t)here was evidence of turbid discharges caused by Friday’s rain event but there were no structural failures at the facility. Any increased sediment to Brown Pond Brook appears to have occurred for a short duration following the rain event.”
“DEC is evaluating the information gathered during the two site visits and additional information requested from the facility to determine if additional action is necessary,” the DEC added.
Bernard Melewski, an attorney representing Barton Mines, said the resident alleged the company’s stormwater infrastructure had failed. In a phone interview on Wednesday, Melewski said the claims were inaccurate and a DEC inspection found nothing wrong. Barton also checked its infrastructure and found all systems working, he added.
“As Shakespeare would say, ‘much ado about nothing,’” Melewski said.
Melewski said he did not know what may have caused the discoloration. There were heavy rains that day, he said, and any number of things on Ruby Mountain, where Barton gets its garnet, could have rushed down into the brook. A beaver dam could have broken in the upstream wilderness area, he added.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they make recommendations on improving the driveway or something like that,” Melewski said of the DEC. “But the allegation (that the stormwater infrastructure failed) isn’t accurate.”
Barton Mines has operated at Ruby Mountain since 1982. It is applying for an Adirondack Park Agency and DEC permit to expand the life of the mine for approximately 75 years. The APA issued a second notice of incomplete application in June. Melewski said the company is working on its response.
Adirondack policy, in plain speak.
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Wow, Mr. Melewski’s callous and cavalier attitude about this situation, and the Adirondacks in general, are only exceeded by his arrogance!
Lawyers are the slime of the earth.
Pretty broad statement
Have had tons of rain this month will cause all creeks and streams to turn “discolored”. But let’s blame the company for doing something wrong. Makes sense for some I guess.
Since the entire watershed of Brown’s Brook is on Barton Property it just shows the poor stewardship of Barton’s on that property. There is nothing normal abut that discharge.
The Hudson looked this way too, way upriver before the brook even touches it. It’s almost like we had incredibly heavy torrential rains and dirt washes into the rivers, independent of any mine.
Really, ALL streams and rivers are cloudy now. Do you think the excessive rain that we have been getting this July has anything to do with it? Maybe you should try to find some common sense instead of fault with Barton Mines.
It looks like soil sand gravel runoff, I have seen this many times before near gravel, dirt and sand sites due to heavy rains. So is it really that shocking this happening off a mountain that is a garnet mine. The only question is it contaminated and there is only one way to say for sure way to do that.
I’ve also seen some really discolored runoff in various rivers, creeks, etc in the Adirondacks while hiking and camping after heavy rains.
Probably a little premature to target Barton as the bad guys here. Rock slides and excessive slope run-off from unusual rain events can often cause discolored streams – sometimes with many tributaries contributing. But more investigation is certainly warranted to determine the source. But I do agree the statement from Barton was quite cavalier considering their responsibility in maintaining clear waters.
Have any of you ever seen a river after HEAVY rain? Please go outside and touch some grass.
Very common after heavy rain events here in the Adirondacks. I have seen Straight Brook , off Gore Mt look the same numerous times. I’m sure work roads are often the source of the erosion. However, have never read of DEC investigating ORDA operations.