User:Britneyw/sandbox

On August 5, 2015, the Animas and the San Juan River were affected by the Gold King Mine spill in Colorado, when the EPA tried to drain the water near the entrance of the mine. About 3 million gallons of water seeped out in a blowout event. The contaminated water included iron, lead, aluminum, zinc, and cadmium, and seeped into the Animas river, eventually in the San Juan river. This spill affected the agriculture of the navajo people. The spill was an environmental disasters in the region and came in the middle of growing season for hay and alfalfa.

The EPA takes responsibility for the spill, however they have not provided any compensation to farmers who have been affected by this spill.

Duara, Nigel. “How the Gold King Mine Spill Continues to Affect Navajo Life.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2015, www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-ff-navajo-qa-20151125-story.html.

Heinsius, Ryan. “Navajo Farmers and Ranchers File $75 Million Suit Against EPA for Gold King Mine Spill.” KNAU Arizona Public Radio, 9 Aug. 2018, www.knau.org/post/navajo-farmers-and-ranchers-file-75-million-suit-against-epa-gold-king-mine-spill.

Elliott, Dan. “Three Years after Gold King Mine Spill, Victims Awaiting Payment from EPA.” The Denver Post, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2019, www.denverpost.com/2018/08/03/3-years-after-colorado-mine-spill-victims-awaiting-payment/.