CONDUCTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONCURRENTLY WITH THE RECLAMATION OF ABANDONED MINES AT THE FRENCH GULCH SITE NEAR BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

摘要

This paper discusses the technical issues and stakeholder collaborativeprocesses which resulted in achieving a balance betweenthe reclamation of abandoned mine sites, providing affordable housing,and preservation of open space at the French Gulch Site.Through this process, it was discovered that mine site reclamationwould need to be conducted in conjunction with two priorities for communitysustainable development: providing affordable housing forlocals who work in the resort town of Breckenridge, and open spacepreservation. It was found that conducting these activities concurrentlywould result in providing resources necessary to completemine site reclamation. The first phase of the affordable housing developmentis almost completed. This development resulted in redevelopmentof mining impacted lands and was recognized by the U. S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a National SmartGrowth Award in 2002. Negotiations are also underway to preservethe remaining 1,800 acres of land held by the mining company asopen space. This transaction will in turn provide resources to addresswater quality issues associated with mine discharges.