The French Gulch Mine Superfund Studio
The French Gulch mine site studio seeks to integrate abandoned mine land reclamation actions with the design of future open space and recreational uses. The French Gulch site is listed on the National Priority List, and is located in the Rocky Mountains near Breckenridge, Colorado. Future uses being considered are ecological reclamation, preservation of historic mining landscapes and structures, public environmental education facilities, a gateway to recreational open space, habitat restoration and preservation, and back country recreational facilities. These projects will take place on 1840 acres of abandoned mine lands formerly owned by B & B Mines, and under Superfund designation. In what has been called the first settlement of its kind, a transfer ownership, a three way agreement between the purchasers, sellers and regulatory agencies has been reached, thus permitting Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge to purchase back the Superfund sites for reclamation and reuse. Students working on this studio project will be engaged in the first project of its kind in the history of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The design studio is being sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Town of Breckenridge, Colorado and Summit County, Colorado.