Gov. Hickenlooper Goes To See Mine Spill Impact
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) - Colorado's governor is visiting a stretch of river contaminated by yellow wastewater that spilled from an abandoned mine.
Gov. John Hickenlooper began his visit Tuesday with a tour of a fish hatchery in the southwestern city of Durango. Cages have been placed in the Animas River there to catch fish and measure any effects on them from the spill. So far, officials say they see no problems.
Hickenlooper issued a disaster declaration for the area Monday, releasing $500,000 to assist businesses and towns affected after a federal mine cleanup operation released millions of gallons of sludge containing heavy metals, including lead and arsenic.
Stretches of the Animas River and the San Juan River it flows into have also been declared disaster areas in New Mexico.
PHOTO GALLERY: Gov. Hickenlooper Tours Animas River
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