As one resident says, cleaning up the Coeur d’Alene basin ain’t easy. Or cheap. But the new $1.3 billion cleanup plan for 340 old mining sites and millions of tons of mine tailings has a community concerned since EPA’s strategy seems illogical. Even Hecla Mining Co., responsible for one third of basin pollution and still in talks for a settlement, is scared but for different reasons: They’re scared what this will do to the future of mining in the Silver Valley.

2002 Photo of dead tundra swans in the Coeur d’Alene basin. Image courtesy of water planet.ws.


Still, it’s shocking what you’ll find in the basin and Becky Kramer does a great job covering this issue. She writes:

Since 1981, lead exposure has been documented in 27 wildlife species, including beavers, screech owls, field mice, wood ducks and robins. People are also at risk from polluted water and soil, the report said.

Arsenic, a carcinogen, shows up in some private drinking wells in the Silver Valley. Children can consume arsenic and cadmium in homegrown vegetables, the report said.

The $1.3 billion cleanup proposal would excavate or cap mine tailings and waste-rock sites. In other areas, parts of creeks would be lined to prevent clean surface water from mixing with polluted groundwater. The EPA also proposes piping pockets of contaminated groundwater to the Central Treatment Plant in Kellogg, which already serves the Bunker Hill Mine.

Idaho State Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, asked “How does lowering the amount of water in the stream improve habitat for fish?” She is now part of a coalition called Citizens for a Prosperous Silver Valley that is requesting EPA to extend the 45-day comment period beyond Aug. 25.

But for now, public comments will be accepted through that date at cdabasin@epa.gov Politicians are planning a town hall meeting on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m., Kellogg High School, 22 Jacob Gulch Road.

Full story HERE.

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