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A major finding in the February 2006 ATSDR report was the lack of sufficient fencing at the Yerington site. In the fall of 2005, EPA oversaw the installation of fencing along a major portion of the south site perimeter that had previously been unfenced. These pictures are taken on the northern portion of the mine. The top left photo displays easy acces to the site next to the overpass near the old administration building. Once past this area, a trespasser has easy access through another, chain link, fence that has been pushed to the ground, (top right photo). Not far beyond lies the old processing area, contaminated by chemicals and radiation.
The next two photos are on the northwest portion of the mine site, approximately mid-way between the town of Weed Heights and the residential area of Sunset Hills. Note the cut barbed-wire strands in the photo at left; access is easy at this point. To the south of this opening, just a few feet, is the gate picture in the photo at right. Locked or not, a bike rider can step over the gate and take his bike with him anywhere onto the mine site.
Very few radiation hazard warnings are posted along the perimeter of the mine site. The middle row of pictures here shows a long stretch of fencing containing no warning signs at all, (left). There are many sheer drop offs on the site which could easily lead to serious injory, such as those shown in the picture on the right.
The fourth row of pictures shows dangerous, rusted out mining equipment on the left, and a gate along Luzier Lane that provides easy access to anyone, particularly children, willing to bend over and climb through.
The bottow two pictures were taken just off Highway 95-A on the northeast corner of the mine site, and adjacent to privately owned agricultural land. The roadway depicted in the left photo leads directkt from 95-A with no restriction to traffic. Once past another corner to the right, there is open access along the tailings adjoining the roadway, (right photo). Workers from the nearby ag fields have been seen climbing up these tailings.
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These children were discovered playing on the northern end of the mine site in 2005, near areas used for the evaporation of chemicals. (Above photos all taken by Robert A. Boyce Sr on February 7, 2006; photo below was taken by Peggy Pauly on October of 2005).
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Tours usually begin at the overlook to the pit lake, as shown here in top left photo taken June 6, 2005. Visitors often get spectacular views, such as the one top right taken January 7, 2006. Looking northeast on a winter day, one can vividly see the sides of the pit and the mountains and homes beyond in the second row, left. (These three pictures taken by Robert A. Boyce Sr).
(Following pictures donated by McGinnis & Assosciates). The second row right shows erosion of the banks caused by wind, snow and rain over the years since the mine was last worked. The left picture in the middle row was taken closer to the water level and is one of the rare ones taken from the east facing west, toward Weed Heights. Note the vegetation at the opposite end of the pit, below the outlook On a calm day, clouds provide an attractive reflection on the lake
Bottom left is a picture taken from the shoreline down into the lake. Some vegetation grows in the lake, but no fish are known to live in its murky waters. The photo at bottom right was taken in the summer of 2000. In comparing this picture to the photo top right, you can see that the lake level has risen dramatically.
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| Heavy winds are not uncommon in the Mason Valley. Here, airborn particles sweep across the Yerington Mine Site on their way offsite. (Photo courtesy of Peggy Pauly, March 19, 2005) |
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| Winds blow across the mine site frequently, as in the December 2005 photo at left. The photo on the right, taken in February of 2006, shows the wide range of such wind events; this picture was taken near Miller Lane, at least two miles from the site. Studies are underway to determine the contents of the dust particles and best methods for containment. (Photos taken by Peggy Pauly) |
For more pictures of the Yerington Anaconda Site by EARTHWORKS, click on the link below.
http://media.earthworksaction.org/objects/view.acs?object_id=4534&q103p=1