GRANITE – The Blue Bird Mine, located on Clear Creek near Granite, is one of many reminders of the area’s once booming mining community of the early 1900s.

Over the next two weeks, workers will be replacing the water diversion pipe at the Blue Bird Mine to prevent mine discharge from entering Clear Creek.

“The current water diversion pipe has been in place for the past 15 years and prevents the water flowing out of the mine from entering the creek,” said Greg Visconty, area mining geologist. “The water will pick up high levels of iron and low levels of arsenic as it flows through the abandoned mine tunnel. The pipe then diverts it to a settling pond where it is naturally filtered before entering Clear Creek.”

The current system is in need of repair, and the Umatilla National Forest is replacing the existing pipe system with a more secure system that will require less maintenance.

The project, conducted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act is expected to take two weeks to complete.

For more information, contact Visconty or Bob Reed at the North Fork John Day Ranger District (541) 427-3231.