ground surface through springs. Opinions as to the threat posed varied widely. County Commissioner Mike Hickman said "If it blows, it could be a national catastrophe, not only to Leadville and Lake County but to the entire Arkansas River." On the other hand, Leadville Mayor Bud Elliott stated "This is what happens when you create an emergency when there isn't one." On June 30, 2008, the Bureau of Reclamation issued a report that concluded that a sudden burst of water from the tunnel was unlikely, and that the tunnel posed "no imminent public safety hazard." On 27 February 2008, the US EPA began pumping per minute from the tunnel system, to relieve water pressure upstream from the blockage. The water, pumped from the Gaw mine shaft, was clean enough to discharge to the Arkansas River without treatment. Meanwhile, the EPA drilled a new well into the tunnel system; a pump test was completed in early June 2008 to determine optimal pumping rate. Tour and visitor attractions The Mineral Belt National Recreation Trail is an all-season biking/walking trail that loops around Leadville and through its historic mining district. In part the trail follows old mining-camp railbeds. Several signs along the way provide historical snippets about Leadville's colorful past. The "Route of the Silver Kings" is a driving tour of the historic mining district surrounding Leadville. The tour includes mines, power plants, ghost towns and mining camps. The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum occupies . Major exhibits include an elaborate model railroad, a walk-through replica of an underground hardrock mine, the Gold Rush room, with many specimens of native gold, a large collection of mineral specimes, and a mining art gallery. The Matchless mine and cabin, former home of Baby Doe Tabor, is open as a tourist attraction during the summer. See also Colorado Silver Boom Leadville, Colorado Silver mining in Colorado Yule marble Gallery of Leadville area minerals Notes References US Bureau of Reclamation (April 2005): A summary of existing reports which have examined the Leadville mine drainage tunnel (LMDT) discharge to the East Fork of the Arkansas River, Colorado US Bureau of Reclamation (15 February 2008): Reclamation partners with Lake County, Colorado and other federal agencies to address public concerns at Leadville mine drainage tunnel US Bureau of Reclamation (11 Mar. 2008): Reclamation successfully tests water treatment plant at Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel US Bureau of Reclamation (30