The opening of the Central Eureka Mine in Sutter Creek has been postponed until further notice. The grand re-opening of the mine site was scheduled for July 5th, but concerns over the presence of hazardous chemicals and the threat of exposure has prompted the City of Sutter Creek to postpone that event. The City had been working with the California Youth Authority and contractors preparing for the re-opening, clearing trails and spreading gravel around the parking lot area.

However, last week the Department of Toxic Substance Control visited the site to take soil samples as part of the Remedial Action Work plan for the site. The DTSC engineer in charge of the project expressed concern regarding the proposed event, due to the site’s contamination and possible associated public exposure risk. The CYA crew also left the site due to the potential risk, leaving the majority of the work unfinished. The council discussed the feasibility of gravelling and wetting down the entire site prior to the event, but in the end, felt it better to forego spending any money now and instead focus resources on a proper clean up. The postponement was especially disappointing for Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Hepworth, who has been organizing the event and looking forward to it for about a year.