Governor Brian Sandoval has cautiously agreed to put the Anaconda Copper Mine on the National Priority List, opening up federal funding for clean up efforts. Reno Public Radio's Noah Glick reports.
The cost to clean up the site is estimated at $31 million. By getting it on the EPA’s National Priority List, Governor Sandoval hopes that federal dollars can provide a solution.
"The issue has always been funding," Sandoval explained. "That's been part of my discussions with the EPA is to have that assurance that if it is going to become a Superfund site, that the funding will be there to clean it up and that there will be a schedule to clean it up."
Sandoval sent his official request to the EPA Tuesday, with the goal of getting work started by the end of next year.
"There is no imminent threat to health, safety, and welfare of the people of Yerington or of Lyon County, but it does need to be cleaned up before it can become one," Sandoval said.
The first time the state considered this listing was back in 2001.
