Study of Abandoned Uranium Mining Impacts

On Private Land Surrounding US Forest Service Land In Western South Dakota

North Cave Hills

Surface Water | Soil & Sediment | Groundwater | Atmospheric Dust

North Cave Hills Project Objectives

·       Off-site migration of sediment spoils and associated metals and radionuclides from the North Cave Hills region of USFS administered lands into potentially impacted drainages (sediments and surface waters);

·         Sliding, slumping, and sheet erosion of mining spoils and associated metals and radionuclides from USFS administered lands onto adjacent private lands;

·       Off-site migration of airborne dust particulates and associated metals and radionuclides by wind erosion of mining spoils from USFS administered lands onto adjacent and regional private lands;

·        Potential contamination to the regional ground water supply by introduction of metals and radionuclides into regional aquifers that provide drinking water to local residents and livestock.