In brief: State taking comments on proposed dump plan

The public has until July 3 to comment on the draft design of a repository near Cataldo where people can dump lead-tainted soil and other mine waste.

The design for the 19-acre repository – a 62-foot-tall dirt mound capped with clean soils, plants and trees – is in draft stages. But the state said it needs to start operating a small portion of the site by July 1. That’s when a new Idaho law takes effect requiring the state to provide a place for residents within the Coeur d’Alene Basin to dump contaminated soil from their yards.

John Lawson of the state Department of Environmental Quality told the Technical Leadership Group on Tuesday that for the first few years residents likely will dump only about 2,000 to 5,000 cubic yards of dirt a year. One regular pickup truck holds about 1 cubic yard.

Meanwhile, the state will complete the plans for the Mission Flats repository that eventually could hold a half-million cubic yards of waste.

The East Side Highway District is opposed to the location, fearing the property will flood and cause contaminated soil to enter the Coeur d’Alene River. The district also is concerned about impact to its roads and the cost to taxpayers.

Highway district Supervisor John Pankratz said the presentation didn’t ease his concerns, and the district will use the comment period.

For more information on the design report or to comment, call DEQ’s John Lawson at (208) 373-0141 or e-mail john.lawson@deq.idaho.gov.

– Erica Curless

Coeur d’Alene

Rally to promote motorcycle safety

A motorcycle safety awareness rally is scheduled for Saturday in Coeur d’Alene. The event is part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, an effort to remind motorists to watch out for motorcyclists.

Motorcycle riders account for 10 percent of highway fatalities nationally. In 2005, 625 motorcyclists in Idaho were involved in collisions, and 87 percent of those received some form of injury.

American Bikers Aimed Toward Education will hold a preride rally at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kootenai County Courthouse, followed by a motorcycle parade at 11 a.m. Riders will parade along Sherman Avenue in downtown, then head to the Northwest Classics Bike Show and Swap Meet in Cataldo.

For information, call Norman Burch at (208) 582-2262.

– Scott Maben

Yapqi’nm Pow Wow at NIC this weekend

Dance, drumming and singing contests along with traditional Native American arts and crafts will be part of North Idaho College’s annual Yapqi’nm Pow Wow on Friday and Saturday at NIC’s Christianson Gymnasium.

Contests for men, women, teens, preteens and toddlers will be offered, and a marketplace will feature vendors selling arts and crafts. Grand entries are at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Northern Quest Casino and NIC are sponsoring the event.

For details, call Darrell Tso at (208) 769-3365 or go to www.nic.edu/events/powwow.

– Meghann M. Cuniff