In reversal, Colorado mine town to seek federal cleanup help

The Colorado town where a toxic mine leak earlier this month unleashed a torrent of heavy metals into Western rivers has decided to change course and request a federal disaster funds to clean up the mine.

The Silverton Board of Trustees and the San Juan County Commission approved a joint resolution Monday to seek the money. It’s a reversal for local officials who long feared that designation as a federal Superfund site would harm economic development.

That decision same under fire when the partly collapsed Gold King mine ruptured Aug. 5, spewing 3 million gallons of metal-laced water. The waste entered a creek that feeds major rivers in several Western states.

A crew from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency caused the leak when workers were trying to stabilize the mine.