Beginning November 1, 2011 the Coldwater Unit (former Bureau of Mines) will be closed to public access. The general contractor, USA Environmental Management, Inc., will begin preparations for demolition of the buildings and restoration of the site. The construction is expected to be completed by late August – early September 2012.
The public is invited to National Park Service ranger led tours of the site on the following Saturdays from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
November 12, November 19, December 3, December 17, January 7, January 21, February 4, February 18, March 3, March 17 and March 31. Additional dates during the spring and summer of 2012 will be announced in March.
After a brief 10-15 minute overview presentation, the public will be escorted to the spring and reservoir area. The remainder of the hour will be unstructured with the Ranger available to answer individual questions and for the public to quietly visit the site during this time.
Open construction sites can be dangerous places for the general public. The National Park Service places the highest priority on assuring that sites are safe for visitors. Closing the site assures the maximum level of safety and security while allowing construction to occur in the most efficient manner, saving time and money.