Upper Columbia River declared Superfund Site
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In a landmark decision, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared portions of the Upper Columbia River a Superfund site on Friday. This designation marks a meaningful step in addressing decades of pollution stemming primarily from sources north of the U.S.-Canada border.
While the designation doesn’t encompass the entire 150-mile stretch from the Canadian border to Grand Coulee Dam, EPA spokesman Bill Dunbar clarified that it targets specific sites requiring remediation. “The EPA is investigating pollution sites that exist from the Canadian border to Grand Coulee Dam. We are not saying the entire area is a superfund site,” Dunbar stated. “There likely will be several sites that we need to clean up within this larger area.”
Dunbar emphasized that the designation shouldn’t deter recreational use of the river. “There shouldn’t be any impact on the people who use the river recreationally,” he assured. “The water is not the concern. It’s the soils adn, possibly, river sediments.”
The EPA’s assessment revealed significant lead and arsenic contamination in the soil, posing a substantial risk to residents, especially children and women of childbearing age. Casey Sixkiller, regional administrator of EPA’s Region 10 office in Seattle, highlighted the meaning of the decision: “Today is a major milestone in more than 20 years of work in the Upper Columbia that began in the early 2000s when the EPA began taking a closer look at legacy pollution by mining operations north of our border.”
Beyond soil contamination, river sediments contain elevated levels of various metals, including zinc, copper, cadmium, selenium, lead, and mercury, posing a threat to aquatic life. Sixkiller added, “Throughout the last few decades, we’ve learned a lot about where exposures exist and pose a threat for both human health and the natural environment.”
The EPA identified the Teck Metals Ltd. lead and zinc smelter in Trail, British Columbia, as a primary pollution source. The former Le Roi smelter in Northport, Washington, which closed in 1921, also contributed to the contamination. Some cleanup efforts are already underway,with Dunbar noting,”They are mostly residential yards in and around the town of Northport where lead and arsenic levels are too high.”
The Superfund designation unlocks crucial federal funding for complete cleanup. Sixkiller emphasized the commitment to a complete remediation: “We know we have 150 more residences to go. By taking this action, we are making a commitment to see this cleanup through.We are unlocking resources to pay for that cleanup to occur and not leave this as an unaddressed risk,which it has been for decades.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee welcomed the decision, stating, “EPA’s decision to list the Upper Columbia River Site on the National Priorities List will strengthen and boost our collective efforts to address a legacy of contamination at the site. By unlocking additional federal resources, this move will help ensure that this part of our state is home to a thriving economy and ecosystem for generations to come.”
The Colville Reservation, bordering a significant portion of the affected river area, also expressed support. Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson highlighted the river’s importance and the urgent need for funding: “The river has been used for decades as a waste disposal site, and that pollution not only damaged the physical river, but has also cost the tribes enormously in terms of lost use and enjoyment of the river.”
Upper Columbia River Receives Superfund Designation: A Turning Point in Decades-Long Cleanup Effort
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially designated a portion of the Upper Columbia River as a Superfund site, marking a pivotal moment in a decades-long struggle to address environmental contamination. This action paves the way for federal funding to support a comprehensive cleanup of hazardous substances impacting the river and surrounding communities.
The decision follows years of advocacy by the Spokane tribe,whose traditional homeland is directly affected by the pollution. Tribal leaders have consistently emphasized the profound impact of the contamination on their cultural heritage, economic security, and the health of their members. “Historic and ongoing releases of hazardous substances to the site threaten or directly affect the health and welfare of our members, our economic security, and the Spokane Tribe’s political integrity,” stated Gregory Abrahamson, chairman of the Spokane Tribal Business Council, in a press release. The Tribe’s support for the Superfund designation dates back nearly two decades.
“Assessing the nature and extent of such contamination and any associated risks it poses to tribal health and resources is as imperative today as it was in 2003,” Abrahamson added, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The contamination stems from the trail Operations facility, owned by Teck resources. While Teck has invested over $190 million in studies under EPA direction, “To date, those studies indicate that the water is clean and the fish are as safe to eat as other fish in the Pacific Northwest,” according to Teck spokesman Dale Steeves.Tho, the EPA’s focus remains on soil contamination, necessitating a broader remediation effort.
The Superfund designation unlocks federal funds to aid in the cleanup, although the exact allocation of responsibility between the federal government and Teck Resources remains under discussion. “How the next administration decides to tackle that and how they engage with Teck will be up to them,” said EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. ”As an agency, our policy has always been that polluters pay.”
While Friday’s declaration is a significant step forward, “Friday was a milestone, but much more work is needed,” Sixkiller emphasized. “The action we are taking today is for folks who live and recreate in the Upper Columbia. We are now in the Superfund process, which is a well-tested, transparent way to address the issue. The EPA will take all the details we have, and others have gathered and put it into a comprehensive cleanup plan.”
The EPA’s action is welcomed by many, including David Erickson, who noted the long history of tribal efforts to address the pollution and the ongoing litigation with Teck Resources. “While that litigation continues, a Superfund listing will unlock access to funds necessary for a thorough remediation of the river, and the listing reflects the high priority for cleanup that this site deserves,” Erickson stated. “Everyone is better served if we clean the river now rather than pass the problem on to future generations.”
upper Columbia River Receives Superfund Designation: A Turning Point in Decades-Long Cleanup Effort
EPA Action Aiming to Remediate Decades of Pollution from Mining Operations North of the U.S.-Canada Border
The U.S. environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently designated a segment of the Upper Columbia River a superfund site, a significant step towards remedying decades of pollution stemming primarily from mining operations north of the U.S.-Canada border. This landmark decision,lauded by environmental advocates and tribal leaders,unlocks crucial federal funding for a thorough cleanup of hazardous substances contaminating the river and surrounding areas.
to understand the implications of this decision, we spoke with Dr. Maria Sanchez, a leading expert on environmental remediation and superfund sites at the University of Washington.
What does it meen for the Upper Columbia River to be designated a Superfund Site?
Dr. Sanchez: The Superfund designation is a critical step towards addressing the complex contamination issues plaguing the Upper Columbia River. It signifies that the EPA has determined that the site poses a significant risk to human health and the habitat and requires a long-term, federally-funded cleanup plan.
what are the primary sources of contamination in the Upper Columbia River?
Dr. Sanchez: The primary source of contamination is the Teck Metals Ltd. lead and zinc smelter in Trail, British Columbia, which has released heavy metals and other pollutants into the river for over a century. The former Le Roi smelter in Northport,Washington,also contributed to the contamination.
What specific contaminants are of greatest concern in the river?
Dr.Sanchez: High levels of lead and arsenic in the soil pose a serious threat to residents, especially children and pregnant women. Additionally, river sediments contain elevated levels of numerous heavy metals, including zinc, copper, cadmium, selenium, mercury, and lead, endangering aquatic life and potentially impacting the food chain.
What will the Superfund designation entail for cleanup efforts?
Dr. Sanchez: The Superfund designation will enable the EPA to develop and implement a comprehensive cleanup plan for the Upper Columbia River.this will involve identifying and removing contaminated soil and sediments, as well as implementing measures to prevent further pollution. The EPA will work closely with state and tribal agencies, as well as local communities, throughout the cleanup process ensuring transparency and community engagement.
How long might this cleanup process take?
Dr. Sanchez: Superfund cleanups are complex and can take many years, depending on the extent and complexity of contamination. However, the Superfund designation provides the framework and resources necessary to ensure a thorough and effective cleanup. The EPA is committed to seeing this cleanup through, and we should expect to see measurable progress in the coming years.
What does this designation mean for the residents and communities adjacent to the Upper Columbia River?
Dr. Sanchez: This is a positive step towards restoring the health of the Upper Columbia River and ensuring the well-being of local communities. The EPA is committed to working with affected communities to keep them informed and involved throughout the cleanup process. It is crucial that residents continue to engage with the EPA and voice their concerns to ensure their needs are prioritized.
