U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Opens 30-day Public Comment Period on Draft Restoration Plan for Murray Smelter Site in Murray City, Utah

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is soliciting public comment on a Draft Restoration Plan (RP) proposing alternatives to restore natural resources injured by hazardous substances released from the Murray Smelter Site pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and the Department of the Interior (DOI) Natural Resource Damage Assessment regulations (43 C.F.R. Part 11). The Murray Smelter Site was the location of a large lead smelter in operation from 1872 until 1949. The 142-acre (57 ha) site contained groundwater contamination from arsenic and lead, and the majority of the cleanup was completed in 2001. The draft RP was prepared as part of a 1995 settlement agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Murray City, and American Smelting and Refining Company, and a subsequent Prospective Purchasers Agreement between the EPA, DOI, and development interests. 

Under the draft plan, the Service intends to assist Salt Lake County, Utah with the implementation of the Jordan River Murray Ecosystem Restoration project at the Kennecott Nature Center in Murray City. This instream and riparian project, proposed by the Salt Lake County Public Works Department’s Engineering Division, will restore 770 linear feet of the Jordan River and leverages habitat work that the County Flood Control division has already performed in the area. The project enhances an area that is used as an outside classroom as part of the Nature Center’s programs and results in habitat restoration for native fish and migratory birds within the Jordan River corridor. 

Today’s announcement opens a 30 day comment period, which ends on October 20, 2018.

View the draft Murray Smelter Site Restoration Plan.

Comments may be sent by e-mail to Chris_Cline@fws.gov, or by mail to: