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AN AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL READING LIST

50 places.
A shared responsibility.

Places to learn from, protect, and keep improving. Start in East Palestine, Ohio, then explore documented challenges, recovery work, and the questions that deserve continued attention.

50selected places & environmental systems
27states represented
01Ohio-first starting point
Explore all 50 places ↓

ATTENTION IS THE FIRST STEP

See the problem.
Recognize the progress.
Ask what comes next.

Contaminated sediment, mine waste, industrial releases, and damaged habitat can require years of treatment, monitoring, and care. Keeping that work visible helps communities follow recovery and understand remaining concerns.

This directory brings together official accounts of different environmental challenges. Some places need active remediation. Others show what completed cleanup and continued stewardship can achieve.

This is a selected learning directory, not a ranking of America’s most dangerous places, a current safety advisory, or a list of Mycopath projects. Some entries are distinct locations within a wider cleanup area. A listed pollutant does not by itself establish someone’s present exposure.

STARTING WITH EAST PALESTINE, OHIO

A community’s future
deserves continued care.

The 2023 derailment made environmental recovery a deeply personal concern for this community. Our first learning focus is to understand the evidence, listen to local priorities, and follow the work already underway.

Follow EPA’s East Palestine updates ↗

WHERE THE RESPONSE STANDS

Monitoring, maintenance,
and public reporting.

EPA’s September 2026 update identifies a monitoring, maintenance and reporting phase, including quarterly groundwater, surface-water and drinking-water sampling.

Mycopath has no site agreement or approved project here. Any future proposal would begin with local needs, qualified review, and coordination with existing work.

Read the directory entry ↓

EXPLORE THE PLACES

Follow the evidence.

Download the source list ↧

Showing 50 of 50 places

Sources reviewed September 27, 2026

01

Ohio · OUR FIRST LEARNING FOCUS

East Palestine derailment area

East Palestine

WaterLandAir

The February 2023 train derailment released hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride and acrylates, prompting a major emergency response and environmental cleanup.

Why attention matters

Long-term sampling and clear public reporting help residents understand environmental conditions after a major industrial accident.

Recovery progress

EPA’s September 2026 update identifies a monitoring, maintenance and reporting phase, including quarterly groundwater, surface-water and drinking-water sampling.

A question to learn from

What can long-term monitoring teach us about selecting research questions and explaining evidence to communities before proposing any new treatment?

EPA: East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment — September 2026 update

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

02

Ohio

Cuyahoga River Area of Concern

Cleveland–Akron corridor

WaterLand

Historic industrial contamination, stormwater, sewer overflows and erosion have affected river sediment, water quality and habitat.

Why attention matters

Contaminated sediment and damaged habitat can undermine the river’s recovery even as overall water quality improves.

Recovery progress

EPA reports Gorge sediment remediation began in 2025 and is expected through 2027. Old Channel cleanup design and other restoration projects continue.

A question to learn from

How could carefully tested vegetation and runoff management complement existing sediment cleanup and habitat restoration?

EPA: Cuyahoga River AOC

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

03

Ohio

Maumee Area of Concern

Toledo and surrounding watersheds

WaterLand

Legacy industrial pollution, sediment contamination and extensive wetland loss affect watersheds entering western Lake Erie.

Why attention matters

Persistent sediment pollutants and lost habitat limit ecological recovery; some impairment categories remain despite substantial completed cleanup.

Recovery progress

EPA reports continuing sediment and habitat work. An August 2026 agreement supports design for remaining PCB contamination in part of the Ottawa River.

A question to learn from

Where could monitored wetland or root-zone systems help manage runoff while preserving established cleanup responsibilities?

EPA: Maumee AOC — August 2026 update

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

04

Ohio

Ashtabula River recovery

Ashtabula

WaterLand

Decades of industrial activity left contaminated sediment and reduced natural riverbank habitat.

Why attention matters

This river demonstrates that coordinated cleanup can restore beneficial uses. Protecting the gains matters as much as identifying new needs.

Recovery progress

The Area of Concern was delisted in 2021 after all designated beneficial-use impairments were removed. It is a recovery example, not an untreated site.

A question to learn from

Which lessons from sediment removal, habitat work and long-term evaluation could guide realistic future restoration plans?

EPA: Ashtabula River AOC — Delisted

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

05

Ohio

Black River recovery

Lorain

WaterLand

Historic industrial discharges and urban and agricultural activity degraded water quality, habitat and sediment.

Why attention matters

Recovery depends on sustained cleanup and habitat investment. This river’s progress provides evidence that long-term environmental work can deliver results.

Recovery progress

EPA reports all beneficial-use impairments were removed by June 2026, allowing the formal Area of Concern delisting process to begin.

A question to learn from

How can communities maintain recovered habitat and use monitoring to detect new pressures early?

EPA: Black River AOC

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

06

New York

Hudson River PCBs

Fort Edward–Troy and Lower Hudson

WaterLand

Historic PCB releases contaminated river sediment and entered the aquatic food chain.

Why attention matters

Pollution can persist in fish after major cleanup. Recovery must be measured over time rather than inferred from clear-looking water.

Recovery progress

Upper River dredging has been completed; monitoring, five-year reviews and Lower River investigations continue. EPA maintains links to fish-consumption advisories.

A question to learn from

What evidence would show lasting reductions in contamination across sediment, water and the food web?

EPA: Hudson River cleanup

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

07

New York

Gowanus Canal

Brooklyn

WaterLand

Industrial discharges and combined-sewer overflows left canal sediment contaminated with PAHs, PCBs and metals.

Why attention matters

Cleaning sediment without controlling incoming pollution can compromise recovery. Both historic waste and continuing sources require attention.

Recovery progress

EPA’s remedy combines dredging, stabilization, capping and source controls. Most upper-canal work finished in 2024; middle-section design was finalized in 2025.

A question to learn from

What could source-control and post-cleanup monitoring teach us about designing complementary natural treatment research?

EPA: Gowanus Canal cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

08

New York

Newtown Creek

Brooklyn and Queens

WaterLand

The heavily industrialized creek has contaminated sediment, with cleanup concerns including PCBs, PAHs and copper.

Why attention matters

Sediment contamination and movement of pollutants between water, sediment and organisms complicate the recovery of urban waterways.

Recovery progress

EPA selected an East Branch interim cleanup in January 2025 involving dredging and sediment stabilization. Broader creek studies and cleanup design continue.

A question to learn from

Which contaminant-specific measurements would be essential before evaluating any biological method alongside engineered cleanup?

EPA: Newtown Creek cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

09

New York

Onondaga Lake and tributary sites

Syracuse area

WaterLand

Historical industrial and municipal discharges contaminated the lake and nearby sites, including mercury-bearing wastes and other pollutants.

Why attention matters

Lake recovery also depends on upland and tributary sources; completed lake-bottom work does not resolve every surrounding contamination problem.

Recovery progress

Lake-bottom dredging, capping and habitat restoration are complete. Many subsites are monitored, while investigations, design or additional cleanup continue at others.

A question to learn from

How can watershed-scale planning connect source control, restored habitat and measurable water-quality improvement?

EPA: Onondaga Lake cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

10

New Jersey

Lower Passaic River / Diamond Alkali

Newark and neighboring river communities

WaterLand

The river forms part of the Diamond Alkali Superfund site, where extensive contaminated sediment requires a coordinated, long-term remedy.

Why attention matters

Large river cleanups depend on infrastructure for safely handling dredged material as well as the eventual in-river work.

Recovery progress

EPA announced a proposed September 2026 settlement for upland processing and support facilities. The agreement requires court approval before those commitments take effect.

A question to learn from

What can major river cleanup planning teach us about responsible waste handling and the real costs of any treatment approach?

EPA: Proposed Lower Passaic River settlement — September 10, 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

11

Massachusetts

GE–Pittsfield / Housatonic River

Pittsfield and downstream communities

WaterLand

PCB contamination affects river sediment and floodplain soil, requiring cleanup that also protects ecological functions.

Why attention matters

Removing contamination can disturb habitat, making restoration, erosion control and post-cleanup monitoring integral parts of the remedy.

Recovery progress

In May 2026, EPA opened review of the Reach 5A final cleanup work plan and a separate habitat-restoration plan.

A question to learn from

How can native vegetation and riverbank design support recovery after regulated sediment and soil remediation?

EPA: Housatonic River Reach 5A work-plan review — May 12, 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

12

Massachusetts

New Bedford Harbor

New Bedford

WaterLand

Historic electrical manufacturing left PCBs and metals in harbor sediment; PCB accumulation in seafood led to fishing restrictions and advisories.

Why attention matters

Major sediment removal does not end the need for seafood guidance, cap maintenance and ecological monitoring.

Recovery progress

Large-scale dredging was substantially completed in 2020; shoreline restoration finished in 2024. EPA lists continued maintenance, monitoring and remaining facility work for 2026.

A question to learn from

Which monitoring measures best show whether cleanup benefits persist in habitat and the aquatic food web?

EPA: General information about the New Bedford Harbor cleanup

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

13

Rhode Island

Centredale Manor Restoration Project

North Providence and Johnston

WaterLand

Past chemical production and drum reconditioning contaminated soil, sediment and the Woonasquatucket River with dioxin and other chemicals.

Why attention matters

Floodplain and river contamination can move beyond an original industrial property, requiring coordinated work across connected areas.

Recovery progress

EPA describes a phased remedy involving source-area capping, sediment and floodplain excavation, wetland cover, and long-term monitoring under EPA and Rhode Island oversight.

A question to learn from

How can habitat-sensitive cleanup plans limit erosion and preserve recovery while contaminated materials are safely managed?

EPA: Centredale Manor cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

14

Connecticut

Raymark Industries

Stratford

LandWaterAir

Manufacturing waste containing asbestos, lead, PCBs and other contaminants was spread as fill across multiple properties and wetlands.

Why attention matters

Historic disposal can create many separate cleanup needs across soil, sediment, wetlands and groundwater.

Recovery progress

EPA celebrated completion of the former Raybestos Memorial Ballfield cleanup in June 2026 while Shore Road cleanup remained underway; other units have separate remedies.

A question to learn from

How should research distinguish habitat restoration from hazardous-waste work that requires specialized remediation and containment?

EPA: Raymark cleanup milestone — June 17, 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

15

Pennsylvania

Palmerton Zinc Pile

Palmerton

LandWater

Historic zinc smelting left a large waste pile and metal-contaminated land requiring remediation and land-use controls.

Why attention matters

Revegetation and containment need continued protection, while groundwater, surface-water and ecological questions require their own investigation.

Recovery progress

EPA oversees ongoing investigation of water and ecological conditions, alongside five-year reviews and controls on groundwater use and soil excavation.

A question to learn from

How can revegetation stabilize contaminated ground while monitoring confirms that metals remain controlled rather than merely hidden?

EPA: Palmerton Zinc Pile cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

16

Pennsylvania

BoRit Asbestos

Ambler

LandAirWater

Historic asbestos-product waste required capping and streambank stabilization to prevent release of asbestos-containing material.

Why attention matters

Protective covers need inspection and repair after erosion or severe weather. Vegetation is part of containment, not proof that hazardous material disappeared.

Recovery progress

Cleanup construction is complete. EPA describes ongoing inspections, cap maintenance, land-use controls and environmental sampling to verify the remedy remains protective.

A question to learn from

What can long-term cover and vegetation maintenance teach us about protecting completed remedies without disturbing hazardous waste?

EPA: BoRit Asbestos cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

17

Pennsylvania

Lower Darby Creek Area

Darby Township, Folcroft and Philadelphia

WaterLand

Clearview and Folcroft landfill wastes contaminated surrounding environmental media; groundwater and aquatic areas remain separate cleanup concerns.

Why attention matters

Groundwater migration and contaminated fish tissue need attention even after residential soil cleanup and landfill-cover construction.

Recovery progress

Residential cleanup is complete and Clearview has a forested evapotranspiration cover. EPA continues groundwater treatment evaluations, Folcroft studies and aquatic-environment investigations.

A question to learn from

What can this real use of a vegetated landfill cover teach us about measuring natural systems within an engineered remedy?

EPA: Lower Darby Creek Area cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

18

Michigan

River Raisin Area of Concern

Monroe

WaterLand

Historic industrial discharges left PCBs and other pollutants in sediment near the river's Lake Erie outlet.

Why attention matters

Sediment contamination and remaining ecological impairments make recovery monitoring important for fish, wildlife and community use.

Recovery progress

Major dredging and habitat projects are complete. EPA lists five impairments removed and four remaining; monitoring tracks continued recovery.

A question to learn from

What can completed sediment cleanup and fish-passage restoration teach us about measuring recovery over time?

EPA: River Raisin Area of Concern

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

19

Michigan

Allied Paper / Kalamazoo River

Kalamazoo and Allegan counties

WaterLand

Historic paper-industry wastes contaminated river sediments, banks and floodplains with PCBs across a large river system.

Why attention matters

Contaminated sediment can remain a source of exposure for aquatic food webs unless managed and monitored.

Recovery progress

EPA reports extensive sediment removal, riverbank restoration and landfill capping. Cleanup and planning continue in remaining areas, while completed areas are monitored.

A question to learn from

How should a research program compare proposed biological approaches with established sediment remedies and untreated controls?

EPA: Allied Paper / Portage Creek / Kalamazoo River cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

20

Michigan

Saginaw River and Bay

Saginaw and Bay City

WaterLand

Legacy sediment contaminants combine with nutrient runoff and habitat loss across the river and bay.

Why attention matters

Fish-consumption restrictions and degraded habitats show why sediment management and watershed pollution prevention must work together.

Recovery progress

EPA identifies sediment remediation, pollution control and wetland restoration as priorities. Three of the original twelve impairments have been removed.

A question to learn from

Where could well-designed root-zone treatment help intercept runoff, and what pollutants would require other remedies?

EPA: Saginaw River and Bay Area of Concern

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

21

Indiana

Grand Calumet River

Gary, Hammond and East Chicago

WaterLand

Industrial history left PCBs, PAHs and heavy metals in river sediments, alongside substantial habitat loss.

Why attention matters

Sediment management and habitat recovery matter for aquatic food webs and community access to healthier waterways.

Recovery progress

EPA reports six sediment and two habitat management actions completed; additional dredging, capping and restoration actions remain.

A question to learn from

How can restoration vegetation complement engineered containment without disturbing contaminated sediments?

EPA: Grand Calumet River Area of Concern

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

22

Indiana

Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal

East Chicago

WaterAirLand

Legacy industrial sediments require controlled dredging and disposal; monitoring addresses potential air and water impacts during this work.

Why attention matters

Moving contaminated sediment demands safeguards as well as removal, protecting neighboring communities and the connected Lake Michigan system.

Recovery progress

The USACE project publishes particulate, ambient-air and water-quality monitoring alongside dredging information. This canal is within the broader Grand Calumet Area of Concern.

A question to learn from

What monitoring would show whether a proposed treatment prevents pollution transfer between sediment, water and air?

USACE / Argonne: Indiana Harbor and Canal Dredging and Disposal Project

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

23

Wisconsin

Lower Fox River

Green Bay to Menasha

WaterLand

Historic paper-mill operations contaminated sediment with PCBs along the Lower Fox River.

Why attention matters

Completed cleanup still needs stewardship: sediment, water and fish data help verify that benefits persist.

Recovery progress

Cleanup was completed in 2020 and certified by EPA in 2022. Long-term monitoring and maintenance continue after addressing more than six million cubic yards of contaminated sediment.

A question to learn from

What can this completed cleanup teach us about long-term sampling, cap maintenance and transparent reporting?

EPA: Fox River PCB cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

24

Wisconsin

Milwaukee Estuary

Milwaukee

WaterLand

Historic industrial discharges and watershed runoff contributed PCBs, PAHs and metals to estuary sediments.

Why attention matters

Restoration supports aquatic habitat, fish passage and the communities connected to Milwaukee's rivers and harbor.

Recovery progress

EPA and partners continue sediment remediation and habitat restoration. Completed projects have removed contaminated sediment, restored wetlands and reopened upstream fish passage.

A question to learn from

How could native planting and runoff management support river recovery after contaminated sediment is addressed?

EPA: Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

25

Minnesota / Wisconsin

St. Louis River Estuary

Duluth and Superior

WaterLand

Historic industry contaminated sediments with mercury, dioxins, PCBs and PAHs, while habitat was lost.

Why attention matters

Recovery matters for fish-spawning grounds, recreation and places of cultural significance to the Fond du Lac Band.

Recovery progress

In May 2026, EPA announced all Minnesota-side sediment cleanup projects complete. Across the estuary, substantial habitat restoration has occurred; recovery criteria and monitoring remain important.

A question to learn from

What can coordinated cleanup, native habitat restoration and long-term stewardship teach a future community research program?

EPA: Completion of St. Louis River cleanup projects in Minnesota, May 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

26

Illinois

Waukegan Harbor

Waukegan

WaterLand

Historic manufacturing contaminated harbor sediment, especially with PCBs that can accumulate in aquatic food webs.

Why attention matters

Maintaining cleanup gains and tracking fish contamination are essential parts of recovery, even after major construction ends.

Recovery progress

Sediment management actions are complete and five of six impairments have been removed. Fish-consumption restrictions remain; related Superfund work continues nearby.

A question to learn from

How can habitat monitoring distinguish genuine ecological recovery from simply finishing a construction project?

EPA: Waukegan Harbor Area of Concern

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

27

Missouri

West Lake Landfill

Bridgeton

LandWater

Parts of the landfill contain radiologically impacted material; groundwater is addressed through a separate investigation.

Why attention matters

Radioactive material requires specialized containment, excavation and disposal expertise. Biological growth cannot eliminate radioactivity.

Recovery progress

EPA's September 2026 dashboard reports remedial-design work underway and a separate groundwater investigation. Cleanup planning includes engineered controls.

A question to learn from

What can this site teach us about recognizing when specialist remediation, rather than a biological method, is required?

EPA: West Lake Landfill progress dashboard, September 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

28

Missouri

Big River Mine Tailings

Desloge and the Old Lead Belt

LandWater

Historic lead mining left large waste areas and contaminated residential soils, river sediments and floodplain areas.

Why attention matters

Mine-waste erosion can move metals through a watershed. Soil protection and source control help reduce opportunities for contact and transport.

Recovery progress

Residential soil cleanup and river investigation continue. Stabilized waste areas receive maintenance; EPA is developing actions for high-priority river and floodplain areas.

A question to learn from

Could approved vegetation help stabilize clean cover and reduce erosion without moving metals into a new exposure pathway?

EPA: Big River Mine Tailings cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

29

Alabama

Anniston PCB Site

Anniston and surrounding waterways

LandWaterAir

Historic PCB manufacturing contaminated properties and downstream waterways, with several environmental media investigated.

Why attention matters

Persistent PCBs require attention to soil contact, food-web pathways and restrictions identified by public-health and environmental agencies.

Recovery progress

Most contaminated residential properties have been cleaned up. Remaining remedies are being designed or implemented; a creek-and-floodplain cleanup decision was signed in December 2024.

A question to learn from

How can a research team respect existing cleanup decisions while evaluating contaminant-specific evidence and community priorities?

EPA: Anniston PCB Site cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

30

Tennessee

Tennessee Products / Chattanooga Creek

Chattanooga

WaterLand

Historic industrial waste contaminated creek sediment; completed remedies removed sediment and capped part of the channel.

Why attention matters

Maintaining protective remedies and following the creek's fish advisory remain important after a site leaves the Superfund list.

Recovery progress

EPA deleted the site from the National Priorities List in 2019 and anticipates no further cleanup actions. Maintenance and monitoring continue.

A question to learn from

What can a completed cleanup teach us about long-term stewardship, protective caps and honest reporting of remaining restrictions?

EPA: Tennessee Products cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

31

Indiana

USS Lead Site

East Chicago

LandWater

Lead and arsenic contamination affected former industrial property and nearby residential areas; groundwater is a separate investigation area.

Why attention matters

Protecting neighborhoods requires verified soil remedies, clear communication and continued attention to remaining contamination.

Recovery progress

EPA's September 2026 update proposes deleting cleaned Zone 1 from the Superfund list. Facility and groundwater investigations are separate ongoing work.

A question to learn from

How can future restoration planning support safe reuse after certified soil cleanup, without disturbing remaining contamination?

EPA: USS Lead Superfund Site

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

32

Texas

San Jacinto River Waste Pits

Channelview / Harris County

WaterLand

Former paper-mill waste pits contain dioxins and furans beside, and partly submerged in, the San Jacinto River.

Why attention matters

River conditions and persistent waste make containment integrity, controlled removal and monitoring important for protecting the surrounding environment.

Recovery progress

Southern impoundment construction finished in 2023. Northern cleanup design was conditionally approved in 2025; EPA's 2026 updates describe remedy changes and next steps.

A question to learn from

What evidence and controls would be required before any proposed biological treatment could be evaluated for persistent industrial waste?

EPA: San Jacinto River Waste Pits site updates

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

33

Minnesota

St. Regis Paper Site

Cass Lake / Leech Lake Reservation

LandWater

Former wood-treatment operations left contamination in soil and groundwater, including areas of the Fox Creek Valley.

Why attention matters

Understanding groundwater movement and remaining sources supports protective cleanup planning with affected residents and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Recovery progress

EPA's March 2026 newsletter describes groundwater and soil investigations, coordination with Tribal and state partners, and development of a community advisory group.

A question to learn from

How should a future research program seek Tribal guidance and evaluate contained treatment questions without interfering with the official cleanup?

EPA: St. Regis Superfund Site newsletter, March 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

34

California

Palos Verdes Shelf

Offshore Palos Verdes Peninsula

Water

Historic pesticide manufacturing discharges contaminated offshore sediment. This nearshore cleanup area is distinct from the separate deep-ocean Disposal Site #2 investigation.

Why attention matters

EPA identifies contaminated seafood consumption as an exposure concern. Sediment and food-web contamination require sustained attention beyond the original industrial release.

Recovery progress

EPA describes fish-consumption outreach, multilingual signs, market inspections and partner engagement to reduce exposure while Superfund work continues.

A question to learn from

What can sediment monitoring and seafood-risk communication teach a future research team about measuring ecological recovery without confusing it with immediate safety?

EPA: Southern California ocean disposal investigation and Palos Verdes Shelf distinction

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

35

California

New Idria Mercury Mine

Idria, San Benito County

WaterLand

Historic mercury mining left waste piles and acidic drainage. Flooded underground workings generate water that moves through the mine and into downstream creeks.

Why attention matters

Controlling erosion and drainage helps limit movement of mercury and other metals. Mining can leave continuing pollution pathways long after operations end.

Recovery progress

EPA reports completed drainage diversions and settling measures, with investigations continuing to define contamination and inform longer-term cleanup.

A question to learn from

How could erosion control and carefully assessed revegetation support an engineered remedy? Mercury cannot be destroyed by fungi or plants.

EPA: New Idria Mercury Mine cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

36

California

Iron Mountain Mine

Near Redding

WaterLand

Mining exposed mineral-bearing rock to water and oxygen, producing acidic drainage containing copper, cadmium, zinc and other metals.

Why attention matters

Before cleanup, metal-rich drainage severely damaged nearby aquatic life. Maintaining collection and treatment protects connected streams and the Sacramento River ecosystem.

Recovery progress

EPA lists active drainage collection, reservoir management, pipelines and treatment in 2026, with planning for continued operation after current settlement obligations end.

A question to learn from

What can long-running treatment teach us about maintenance costs, water monitoring and the limits of nature-based additions to complex mine cleanup?

EPA: Iron Mountain Mine cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

37

California

Leviathan Mine

Near Markleeville, Alpine County

WaterLand

The inactive sulfur mine generates acid mine drainage affecting Leviathan Creek. Historic mining left a continuing water-quality management problem.

Why attention matters

Treatment infrastructure and drainage controls need sustained upkeep. A closed mine can continue affecting downstream environments unless pollution pathways remain controlled.

Recovery progress

California's Water Board maintains pollution-abatement infrastructure and works with EPA and Atlantic Richfield on investigations and development of a final remedy.

A question to learn from

Could carefully evaluated revegetation reduce erosion alongside required treatment? Any ecological approach would need compatibility with the agency-selected mine-water remedy.

California Lahontan Water Board: Leviathan Mine Project

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

38

California

Montrose Chemical former factory area

Los Angeles, Harbor Gateway area

LandWater

Decades of pesticide manufacturing left contamination on and around the former facility. This entry focuses on the land and groundwater areas, separate from Palos Verdes Shelf.

Why attention matters

Source-area contamination can require prolonged treatment and monitoring. Past soil removals do not by themselves complete groundwater cleanup.

Recovery progress

EPA describes ongoing groundwater treatment, electrical resistance heating, soil-vapor extraction, monitoring and maintenance within the wider Superfund cleanup program.

A question to learn from

Which organic pollutants might warrant controlled biological-treatment research, and which conditions require established chemical, thermal or hydraulic treatment methods?

EPA: Montrose Chemical Corp. cleanup and reuse summary

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

39

Oregon

Portland Harbor

Portland

WaterLand

Contamination in sediment, surface water and groundwater affects an approximately ten-mile stretch of the Lower Willamette River.

Why attention matters

River cleanup must also address incoming pollution from upstream and adjacent land. Otherwise, new contamination can undermine sediment improvements.

Recovery progress

EPA's September 2025 update reports all areas designated for active in-water remediation in design, alongside Oregon DEQ's continuing work on pollution sources.

A question to learn from

How can future research combine source control, sediment testing and ecological monitoring, while learning from established dredging, capping and recovery plans?

EPA: Portland Harbor site and remedial-design update, September 2025

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

40

Washington

Lower Duwamish Waterway

Seattle

WaterLand

Industrial discharges and urban runoff left contaminated sediment along five miles of the Duwamish, including PCBs, arsenic, carcinogenic PAHs, dioxins and furans.

Why attention matters

EPA identifies significant human-health and ecological risks from sediment contamination. Recovery requires coordinated control of sediment and incoming pollution.

Recovery progress

EPA announced a proposed $668 million settlement in March 2026 for dredging, capping and other cleanup measures, with work expected to take at least ten years.

A question to learn from

What can coordinated river cleanup teach us about monitoring, community participation and selecting techniques for different pollutants instead of assuming one biological solution?

EPA: Proposed Lower Duwamish Waterway cleanup settlement, March 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

41

Washington

Hanford Site

Near Richland, Benton County

WaterLand

Chemical and radiological groundwater contamination at this nuclear-production legacy site requires extensive engineered treatment and monitoring.

Why attention matters

The scale and persistence of contaminated groundwater show why cleanup needs long-term stewardship, specialist expertise and clear measurements of progress.

Recovery progress

DOE operates multiple groundwater pump-and-treat systems. Its July 2026 overview describes ongoing treatment and public access to monitoring data and annual reports.

A question to learn from

What can transparent long-term monitoring teach us? Hanford is a specialist nuclear-remediation case, not a proposed fungal treatment project; organisms cannot eliminate radioactivity.

U.S. Department of Energy: Hanford groundwater treatment

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

42

Idaho

Coeur d'Alene Basin

Coeur d'Alene River Basin, including Cataldo

WaterLand

Historic mining and dredging spread lead and other metals through river sediments and floodplain areas, including Mission Flats near Cataldo.

Why attention matters

Removing contaminated soil creates another responsibility: safely containing it. Long-term protection includes engineered storage, clean covers and monitoring.

Recovery progress

EPA selected the Dredge Road property for a new lower-basin waste consolidation area in 2025, with design planned for 2026–2027 before construction.

A question to learn from

How can ecological restoration complement secure waste management without redistributing metals into water or wildlife? Community and Tribal priorities would need to guide any future involvement.

EPA: New waste consolidation location for lower Coeur d'Alene Basin cleanup

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

43

Montana

Silver Bow Creek / Butte Area

Butte and surrounding watershed

WaterLand

Historic mining left tailings along Silver Bow Creek, contaminated soils and polluted water in flooded mine workings, including the Berkeley Pit.

Why attention matters

Cleanup involves different pathways across a large watershed. Restored stream sections still need monitoring, while other mine and soil areas require continuing work.

Recovery progress

EPA and Montana DEQ oversee separate cleanup areas, with stream restoration, soil investigations, water management and ongoing environmental monitoring.

A question to learn from

How can long-term measurements show whether restored vegetation and stream habitat remain healthy after mine-waste controls are installed?

EPA: Silver Bow Creek / Butte Area current site status

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

44

Montana

Anaconda Smelter

Anaconda and southern Deer Lodge Valley

LandWater

Historic ore processing and smelting left arsenic, lead and other metals in soil, groundwater and surface water across a large area.

Why attention matters

Protecting reclaimed land requires maintaining caps, vegetation and drainage controls. The remaining work should be understood alongside substantial cleanup already completed.

Recovery progress

EPA reports completed cleanup in several areas and continuing work elsewhere. Reclamation includes capped and revegetated land, wetlands, stream restoration and property cleanup.

A question to learn from

What can established revegetation and wetland restoration teach us about rebuilding habitat after contamination is contained? Metals remain materials to manage, not substances plants destroy.

EPA: Anaconda Co. Smelter cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

45

Montana

Libby Asbestos site

Libby, Troy and former mine area

LandAir

Historic vermiculite mining spread amphibole asbestos. Residual contamination is especially relevant around the former mine and surrounding forested land.

Why attention matters

Disturbance of contaminated material requires specialized precautions. The 2025 response plan also addresses asbestos in ash during wildfires near the mine.

Recovery progress

Extensive cleanup has reduced exposure potential in Libby and Troy. Agencies maintain coordination, monitoring and public-information plans for residual hazards.

A question to learn from

How can clear public information help people follow specialist guidance? This is a lesson in exposure prevention, not a proposed mushroom or plant treatment for asbestos.

Lincoln County and partner agencies: Libby Asbestos Response Plan, 2025

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

46

Nevada

Carson River Mercury site

Dayton and Carson River corridor

WaterLand

Mercury used in historic gold and silver processing contaminated former mill sites, floodplain soil and river sediment across multiple counties.

Why attention matters

Mercury can move through waterways and accumulate in fish and wildlife. Site-specific consumption advice and soil controls remain important exposure protections.

Recovery progress

EPA and Nevada manage sampling, soil removal or capping, and long-term response planning. EPA also investigates mercury movement and impacts in the river system.

A question to learn from

Could erosion-control research help reduce contaminated sediment movement without increasing mercury availability? No fungal or plant method can destroy mercury itself.

EPA: Carson River Mercury site cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

47

Colorado

California Gulch / Leadville

Leadville and upper Arkansas River area

WaterLand

Historic mining contaminated soils, sediment and water with metals. The cleanup area includes Leadville, former mining lands and an Arkansas River reach.

Why attention matters

EPA reports cleanup complete across more than 90 percent of the site. Continued maintenance and treatment protect those gains while remaining work advances.

Recovery progress

Two treatment plants address metal-contaminated water. Completed remedies are maintained and monitored; the remaining Stray Horse area cleanup is still being implemented.

A question to learn from

What can successful cleanup and revegetation teach us about measuring sustained recovery, controlling runoff and supporting safe land use after mining?

EPA: California Gulch cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

48

Colorado

Summitville Mine

Rio Grande County

WaterLand

Former gold-mining operations contaminated soil and water with metals. Acidic mine water affected Wightman Fork and the Alamosa River.

Why attention matters

Completed construction does not end the need for treatment. Capturing mine water and maintaining reclaimed land help prevent renewed downstream damage.

Recovery progress

Mine wastes were capped and revegetated, and historic heap-leach cyanide was treated. Captured mine water still passes through a treatment plant, with ongoing monitoring.

A question to learn from

How can revegetation and lower-impact operations complement long-term water treatment? This site illustrates maintenance needs as well as ecological recovery.

EPA: Summitville Mine cleanup activities

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

49

Oklahoma

Tar Creek

Ottawa County

Land

Historic lead and zinc mining left large amounts of waste, including chat that was also used as fill. Lead contamination affects some residential soils.

Why attention matters

Young children are especially sensitive to lead. Preventing contact with contaminated soil is an immediate practical priority alongside the wider site's cleanup.

Recovery progress

Oklahoma DEQ's April 2026 fact sheet offers voluntary residential sampling and free cleanup where contamination is found, continuing earlier EPA work.

A question to learn from

How can community outreach connect people to existing cleanup services? Future vegetation research would have to support, never substitute for, required lead-soil remediation.

Oklahoma DEQ: Tar Creek residential yard cleanup, April 2026

Source reviewed September 27, 2026

FROM CONCERN TO USEFUL WORK

Learning where nature
can play a part.

Our interest is in carefully selected biological methods for specific problems. A mushroom, plant, or root system is not a universal cleanup tool. Radiological waste, asbestos, persistent industrial chemicals, and metals need appropriate specialist methods.

These places can teach us about monitoring, public communication, wetland design, long-term care, and the limits of treatment. Any Mycopath study would need a defined question, permissions, and independent evaluation.

Read the methods and evidence ↗

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Care can become action.

Support the formation and research that could give this mission a practical beginning. Bring relevant skills, share public evidence, or follow the fundraiser.

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Share a cleaner future.

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