The Eastern Mission Flats Repository is a story that just won’t quit. If you’ve been following along thus far at DTE, the below letter from Spokane Riverkeeper Rick Eichstaedt to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson concisely reiterates the duplicity of the situation: Despite the Inspector General’s report for further review because of flooding, construction will proceed. In his letter, Eichstaedt concludes all activities need to stop at the site and that EPA Region 10 conduct another public meeting. It has been a long time coming but there's a sense we are getting closer to a breaking point on this issue.

Dear Administrator Jackson;

This letter is sent on behalf of the Spokane Riverkeeper program of the Center for Justice in Spokane, Washington in regards to the East Mission Flat repository that is part of EPA’s Coeur d’Alene Basin Superfund project. The design and location of this repository has been a point of significant public concern in the local community prompting an investigation by the EPA Office of the Inspector General, including looking at concerns regarding public process and the siting of the facility within a floodplain.

Contamination of the Coeur d’Alene Basin and subsequent cleanup decisions can impact heavy metals in sediments and beaches in the Spokane River. It is essential that any cleanup decision is made in a responsible and well-reasoned manner fully assessing all impacts to human health and the environment. In its June 8, 2009 report titled, Contaminated Soil Waste Repository at East Mission Flats, Idaho, Report No. 09-P-0162, the Office of the Inspector General raised serious concern about the location and design of the repository, stating:

"We found that many physical aspects of flooding have been investigated and considered in the design process. However, we also found that the geochemical aspects and potential for releasing dissolved contaminants had yet to be investigated. The proposed repository site is located in an area that floods annually. Region 10 and IDEQ have not sufficiently analyzed the geochemical conditions that are expected to form near the repository base, the potential for annual flooding to introduce water into the repository, and the possibility that dissolved contaminants will migrate away from the repository. In response to our concerns, Region 10 and IDEQ prepared a draft scope of work for the needed analysis. Much of that work was completed and included in Region 10’s response to our draft report. But the work leaves unresolved the amount of water that will be introduced into the repository with flooding and rising groundwater levels."

Despite the problems recognized by the Inspector General’s report, EPA Region 10 announced in a June newsletter that construction and activities at the site would continue to proceed. However, Region 10 also indicated in a letter to the Office of the Inspector General that it would complete additional evaluation of the repository by July 31, 2009.

Given the controversy of this project, the problems identified by the Inspector General’s report, and the additional information that will be available by the end of the month, we ask that you take action to: (1) stop additional activities at the East Mission Flats repository site until complete information about the site is available and (2) require that EPA Region 10 conduct a public meeting to discuss with the public the results of the additional assessment work. We are sure you would agree that a complete understanding by both EPA and the public is warranted in this matter.

We appreciate your assistance and action in the matter.

Thank you,

Rick Eichstaedt

Spokane Riverkeeper

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