History article written for Granite Falls website,The Big Dig at Monte Cristo Tomorrow (Monday, Oct 1) it starts. The USFS and and Dept of Ecology will start the immense task of digging up contaminated rock from the slopes and flats of Monte Cristo, and burying it to protect the public from the dangers of mining contaminants. We're well past the point of arguing about the cost- effectiveness of the project and/or about how much additional protection will actually be realized. The USFS wasn't anxious to undertake the effort, but a combination of litigation and available mitigation funds from the infamous Anarco settlement have forced their hand. As most readers have already heard, the work to clear a route into the site (for the heavy equipment required) is about to get underway. By Summer of 2013, the work will reach a point that will require closing off the area to tourists and hikers for a year or two. Hundreds of visitors have been making the trek to say "au revoir" during our recent good weather. So how do we make it really pay off? By making sure that when the area re—opens, it does so with a level of care and interpretative signage that makes a visit to Monte Cristo even more educational and enjoyable than it is today! That of course requires that special care be taken during the mandated cleanup, and even more importantly, during the cleanup of the cleanup. Before you bemoan the historical destruction that might take place given the vast amount of activity, take the time to read Appendix C of the Removal Action Memorandum, which reflects the care that has already gone into USFS planning for the preservation and eventual recovery. You can find the entire document at g 1', ., :2 . :1; " . . . They‘ve identified specific actions to be taken (and to be avoided) in an attempt to preserve and enhance the historical perspectives that Monte C‘risto can continue Pto provide when re-opened to the public. --.,, l :.,.-' r ’lv '_ _ r v_. .4 Hm», ,. . “j , ,.[_ ’ ‘ , ,.\. ,7 7: h'. i ‘ Most Monte Cristo aficionados are familiar with the United Companies concentrator, certainly the dominant structure in the city for years. A long, curving, covered horse—drawn tram brought ore from the aerial tram stations to the upper levels of the concentrator, after which mechanical processed crushed, separated, and delivered concentrates from the bottom level to waiting box cars of the Everett Monte Cristo Railway. Now a jumble of hillside rubble, and a major site of contaminants, the USFS has , Accession/Object ID: No accession number, Object Name: , Title: Back in the Day article, Author: Fred Cruger, Description: History article written for Granite Falls website, Date: , OCR Text: The Big Dig at Monte Cristo Tomorrow (Monday, Oct 1) it starts. The USFS and and Dept of Ecology will start the immense task of digging up contaminated rock from the slopes and flats of Monte Cristo, and burying it to protect the public from the dangers of mining contaminants. We're well past the point of arguing about the cost- effectiveness of the project and/or about how much additional protection will actually be realized. The USFS wasn't anxious to undertake the effort, but a combination of litigation and available mitigation funds from the infamous Anarco settlement have forced their hand. As most readers have already heard, the work to clear a route into the site (for the heavy equipment required) is about to get underway. By Summer of 2013, the work will reach a point that will require closing off the area to tourists and hikers for a year or two. Hundreds of visitors have been making the trek to say "au revoir" during our recent good weather. So how do we make it really pay off? By making sure that when the area re—opens, it does so with a level of care and interpretative signage that makes a visit to Monte Cristo even more educational and enjoyable than it is today! That of course requires that special care be taken during the mandated cleanup, and even more importantly, during the cleanup of the cleanup. Before you bemoan the historical destruction that might take place given the vast amount of activity, take the time to read Appendix C of the Removal Action Memorandum, which reflects the care that has already gone into USFS planning for the preservation and eventual recovery. You can find the entire document at g 1', ., :2 . :1; " . . . They‘ve identified specific actions to be taken (and to be avoided) in an attempt to preserve and enhance the historical perspectives that Monte C‘risto can continue Pto provide when re-opened to the public. --.,, l :.,.-' r ’lv '_ _ r v_. .4 Hm», ,. . “j , ,.[_ ’ ‘ , ,.\. ,7 7: h'. i ‘ Most Monte Cristo aficionados are familiar with the United Companies concentrator, certainly the dominant structure in the city for years. A long, curving, covered horse—drawn tram brought ore from the aerial tram stations to the upper levels of the concentrator, after which mechanical processed crushed, separated, and delivered concentrates from the bottom level to waiting box cars of the Everett Monte Cristo Railway. Now a jumble of hillside rubble, and a major site of contaminants, the USFS has , Granite Falls Historical Society,Documents (articles, clippings, letters, papers),Local History Articles,Back in the Day (local),Big Dig at Monte.pdf,Big Dig at Monte.pdf Page 1, Big Dig at Monte.pdf Page 1