Empire Mine Workshop - Saturday, 10/27

Did you know that State Parks is considering re-routing and closing some existing trails in Empire Mine and building brand new ones? The park wants to hear from you about all this. Please plan on attending this super important workshop (see below). You'll be able to speak firsthand with the folks who will create new trails at the Mine:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Sheryl Watson, Information Officer
(916) 654-7538
October 4, 2007

Ron Munson, Sector Superintendent
(530) 273-3884

Empire Mine State Historic Park Works to Improve and Reopen Trails
Public Invited to Workshop and Hike Through Osborn Hill

WHO: California State Parks' Superintendent Ron Munson and Trails Manager Karl Knapp.

WHAT: California State Parks invites trail users to review and discuss proposed realignments and improvements to trails in the Osborn Hill area of Empire Mine State Historic Park.

WHEN: Saturday, October 27 in the Docent Building. Come to the main visitor parking lot and into the mine yard. The Docent Building backs up to the parking lot. Open House: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Maps and information will be available for viewing. Workshop: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Presentation and Q & A.
Hike: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Hike participants meet at the Penn Gate parking lot at 2 p.m. Participants
must arrive with good walking or hiking shoes, a water bottle and appropriate protection from the weather. Rain will cancel the hike.

WHY: Portions of the Osborn Hill trail network were closed in January based on environmental
sampling data showing elevated levels of arsenic and lead. These metals are naturally
occurring, often in areas where gold is found, and may have been brought to the surface
during historic gold mining.

California State Parks and Newmont USA Ltd. are working to address the environmental
issues. California State Park is examining a plan to re-open closed areas to the public while
remaining protective of public health. Proposed new trail routes are being tested for metal
concentrations. Unlike most existing trails in the park that are former mining roads, the new
trails will be carefully designed and graded so as to resist erosion, allow better water
drainage and withstand heavier recreational use.

Trail users are encouraged to provide their input on trail improvements in the Osborn Hill area
during this planning stage. For more information, please contact the Visitor Center at (530) 273-8522.