&EPA In This Issue: Box Property Cleanups Done East Mission Flats Repository Update Basin Field Trip August 13 Lake Management Plan Released Spring Flood Brings Sediments Communications Team Forms Basin Property Cleanups Underway Harvard Road Cleanup Begins Mining Community Summit Opportunities to Get Involved EPA Community Involvement Contacts: Andrea Lindsay lindsay. andrea@epa.gov Debra Sherbina sherbina.debra@epa.gov 800-424-4372 (see back page for websites) The Basin Bulletin is published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency three times a year. The Basin Bulletin offers updates about activities related to Superfund cleanup in the Coeur d'Alene Basin. For mailing list changes, to send comments about this newsletter, contact the editors, or submit articles for consideration, call Andrea Lindsay or Debra Sherbina at the phone numbers provided. Mention of trade names, products, or services does not convey, and should not be interpreted as conveying, official EPA approval, endorsement, or recommendation. Milestone Reached: Box Property Cleanups Complete Cleanup of residential and commercial properties in the Silver Valley "Box" is now complete. The Box is the 21 -square-mile area around the old Bunker Hill mining and smelting complex. Residents of Wardner, Pinehurst, Smelterville, Page, Kellogg, Elizabeth Park, Montgomery Ranch and Ross Ranch cooperated in the massive, multi-agency effort to sample, partially remove, and cap metals-contaminated soils. The work took place in yards, school and play grounds, commercial properties, and road shoulders. "We know the work at times has been disruptive and inconvenient," said Dan Opalski, EPA's Seattle Superfund Office Director. "After all, it literally took place in residents' backyards. But we were there to make their yards safer and protect their family's health. On behalf of both EPA and IDEQ, I' d like to extend a heartfelt 'thank you' to these residents for their patience and cooperation during the cleanup process." In 1994, DEQ (Idaho Department of Environmental Quality) and EPA(U. S. Environmental Protection Agency) signed a legal agreement with the Hecla Mining Company, AS ARCO Inc. and four -1 ------- Basin Bulletin August 2008 other mining companies to perform a large-scale clean up of the residential areas within the "Box" to protect residents' health. EPArecently certified that the mining companies have completed that cleanup work, though they have remaining legal obligations. EPA will review the cleanup every five years, to ensure it continues to protect human health and the environment. Many cleaned areas still have contaminated materials beneath the ground surface. Residents and businesses must comply with the local Institutional Controls Program (ICP) to ensure that protective barriers are maintained. Also, since children can still come in contact with lead, it's important to have their blood-lead levels tested each year. Panhandle Health District (PHD) can answer questions about clean barriers, the ICP, or blood-lead testing. PHD's phone number is (208) 783-0707. Cleanup-related work will continue in the non- populated areas of the Box and throughout the Basin. East Mission Flats Waste Repository - Now at 60% Design In late July, a community open house was held in Cataldo to present information on the 60% Design Report for the new East Mission Flats Waste Re- pository. Members of the public met with proj ect representatives, viewed displays, and gave sugges- tions on the design. DEQ, EPA, and the Basin Environmental Improvement Proj ect Commission hosted the open house. DEQ welcomes community input on the 60% Design Report through September 2. Send suggestions to Andy Mork, DEQ, 1410 N. Hilton, Boise, ID 83706; andy.mork@deq.idaho.gov Where to Find the Documents Find the complete 60% Design Report, and the Executive Summary, online at www. basincommission. com under East Mi ssion Flats Repository Info. The documents are also available at select local libraries. What's New in the 60% Design? Several changes have been made from the 30% Design. Some changes were in response to public comments received last fall. The height of the repository was reduced from 62 feet to 34 feet. When done it will have smooth slopes to blend in with the landscape, rather than have benches that look like large steps. • DEQ purchased another four acres of land to make the repository site 23 acres. The land is between Canyon Road and the original 19-acre site. This allows DEQ to own all land that will be disturbed by building and running the repository. • In response to public input, the selected repository alternative will hold about 416,000 cubic yards of waste, instead of the 668,000 cubic yard alternative in the 30% Design Report. • Contaminated soil s will be protected against erosion as they are placed. • Panhandle Health District will give key cards to users and monitor access to control what materials are disposed of at the repository. • The Perimeter Protection System has been changed to one that can be constructed at the same time as the repository is filled. East Mission Flats Facts The East Mission Flats Repository is west of Cataldo, Idaho, across 1-90 from the Old Mission. It will not be easily visible from the Old Mission. The repository will securely contain contaminated soils from yard cleanups in the Lower Basin, and help reduce people's exposure to contaminants such as lead, arsenic and cadmium. Starting in September, the repository will be available for temporary holding of small amounts of waste from the Basin Institutional Controls Program, as noted in the 3 0% design. Any ICP waste staged at EMF would be moved to the Big Creek Repository near Osburn, not left at East Mi ssion Flats over the winter. The ICP soil s will be moved, not left on site, until the EMF repository is ready to accept waste soils permanently. The Panhandle Health District runs the Institutional Controls Program. Only soils contaminated with mine waste will be accepted at EMF. Municipal wastes and residential garbage will not be accepted. If you live in the upper Basin, you can dispose of Basin ICP wastes at the Big (continued on next page) •2 Creek ------- Basin Bulletin August 2008 Flooding and EMF Flood water testing: During this spring's flooding, water pooled at the site, then slowly drained away as the flood level receded. The water flowed onto and off of the site through culverts beneath 1-90. DEQ and EPA tested river floodwaters to compare amounts of metals in surface water during the flood. Shielding the repository from flood impacts: The site is on the 100-year flood- plain. The agencies expect yearly flooding as a result of runoff, as well as episodic major floods. In this wet year (2008), water stood about four feet deep at the repository. The repository is designed to withstand much higher water levels. The 100-year flood model predicted water levels 18 feet above ground surface at the repository. The model also predicted the speed of the water moving past the reposi- tory during the entire flood event. Over most of the site, the predicted flow speed was about two feet per second. The maximum predicted flow speed was slightly less than six feet per second at an area where the water channel narrows between the Exit 39 em- bankment and the repository. Six feet per second is a comfortable walking pace. Engineers may modify the design to decrease the flow speed in this narrow spot. The 60% Design includes simple, low mainte- nance features to protect the side slopes of the repository from erosion during a 100- year flood event. These features include an apron all the way around the repository made of a woven geotextile layer, 12 inches of clean gravel, and 12 inches of coarse cobble and boulder riprap. To be on the safe side, this riprap apron will reach three feet above the height of the predicted 100-year flood, or about 21 feet above ground surface. Creek Repository. For information on the TCP or to obtain a permit, contact Jerry Cobb at 208-783-0707. For information, contact Andy Mork, DEQ, 208- 373-0141, or andy.mork@deq.idaho.gov Basin Environmental Field Trip August 13 The Basin Environmental Improvement Proj ect Commission (BEIPC) hosted afield trip on August 13, 2008. The field trip visited notable sites where environmental activities are going on within the Coeur d'Alene Basin. The public was invited to j oin the free day-long tour. The bus tour began at the BEIPC offices in Kellogg. Stops included the East Mission Flats Repository, Silver Crescent Mine Site (Moon Gulch) cleanup and natural resource restoration project, the Rex Mine Site cleanup and restoration project, and residential and commercial property cleanup sites. See the full agenda on the BEIPC web site at www. basincommission. com The field trip was held in place of the regularly scheduled BEIPC meeting. 2008 Draft Coeur d'Alene Lake Management Plan Released by Marc Stewart, Public Relations Director, Coeur d'Alene Tribe The Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the State of Idaho recently unveiled a plan to prevent contaminated bottom sediments in Coeur d'Alene Lake from being released into the ecosystem and further damaging the environment. The sediments contain contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals. The Tribe and the Idaho Department of Environmen- tal Quality drafted the Coeur d'Alene Lake Man- agement Plan with support from EPA after a year of collaboration. The plan will assess the current status of lake water quality and outline strategic goals and obj ectives for protecting it. Funding for a maj or cleanup is not in place. The Tribe has committed $5 million to the proj ect and has challenged state and federal agencies to budget monies for the proj ect. (continued on next page) -3 ------- Basin Bulletin August 2008 The plan promotes education, understanding, and support for effective lake management. The plan uses "adaptive management," which gives the state and the Tribe flexibility to make necessary changes. It doesn't propose any new laws or regulations. The plan calls for continued water quality monitoring. Monitoring will help state and Tribal scientists under- stand how pollution moves into and within the lake. In addition to keeping an eye on toxic metals in lake-bottom sediments, the plan calls for a nutrient source inventory. The inventory will identify where nutrients, such as fertilizer and wastewater, are originating and being deposited into the lake. These nutrients feed algae blooms, which ultimately die and then contribute to contamination being released from the lake bottom. Another key part of the Lake Management Plan is education. The plan calls for the creation of a stewardship center. This center could be located in downtown Coeur d'Alene and used to increase public awareness about protecting the lake. Although Coeur d'Alene Lake is within the Bunker Hill Superfund site, it is not included in EPA's cleanup plans. EPA acknowledged that a revision of the 1996 Coeur d 'Alene Lake Management Plan—developed locally outside of the federal Superfund process and adequately funded, implemented, and proven effective—may appropriately address contaminants in lakebed sediments. The plan reflects an agreement between the Tribe and DEQ concerning the current state of lake water quality and lake management goals, objectives, and strategies. It is the product of extensive efforts to understand and address key interests of local, state, federal, and tribal governments, whose partnerships are critical for future success. Other key stakeholders include the business community, environmental groups, and individual citizens. The original 30-day public comment period has been extended an additional 30 days. Comments are now due by 5 p.m. on August 25, 2008. The plan is available online at the Tribe's and DEQ's websites at www. deq. idaho.gov/ and www. cdatribe-nsn.gov/ lake Submit written comments to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Lake Management Department, P.O. Box 408, Plummer, ID, 83851, or to DEQ, 2110 Ironwood Parkway, Coeur d'Alene, ID, 83814. Email comments may be submitted to Glen Rothrock at glen.rothrock@deq.idaho.gov or Rebecca Stevens at rstevens@cdatribe-nsn.gov Spring Flood Moves Contaminated Sediments The higher than normal snow pack made this year's spring floods especially big. All that runoff resulted in the movement of sediments, including mine-waste contaminated sediment. The movement of these contaminants is a normal spring runoff event each year in the Basin. But this year, of course, more water meant even more sediments were moved within the river, wetlands, and floodplains. The Coeur d'Alene River system contains millions of cubic yards of mine and mining-related wastes. These wastes were deposited in the river and its tributaries over many years of mining activities. The sediments containing these contaminants continue to wash downstream, especially during high flow events. Sediments left behind after flooding often are contaminated with lead. The interim Record of Decision (ROD) for Operable Unit 3 includes some cleanup actions to address contaminated sediments for protection of wildlife and people. These activities require significant planning due to, among other things, concerns about flooding, recontamination, and the technical complexities of some actions like river-bed sediment removal. EPA has started the planning process to develop comprehensive and long-term solutions to address these concerns. -4 ------- Basin Bulletin August 2008 Communications Team Forms The Basin Commission recently formed a new Project Focus Team, called the Communications PFT. The team is developing goals and obj ectives to improve communications and build public participa- tion in the Basin Commission. The PFT's members include citizen group representatives, local residents, and people from organizations and agencies involved in the Basin cleanup. Since the Citizens Coordinating Council is also involved in public communication, the PFT will be working closely with that group. In addition, the PFT has received input from the Technical Leadership Group (TLG) and direction from the Basin Commissioners and Executive Direc- tor. The PFT has been working on several ideas includ- ing: improving the Basin Commission web page; offering a "courtesy review" of controversial subjects when requested by other agencies; and expanding the network of existing communication avenues and techniques. The group is also developing a commu- nication strategy and identifying public interest areas and outreach opportunities. Currently, the PFT is working on a brochure for the public about the Basin Commission. If you are interested in j oining the Communications PFT, or have suggestions for the group, contact JeriDeLange, Communications PFT Chair, atJeri.Delange@deq.idaho.gov or 208- 783-3548. 2008 Property Cleanups Underway in the Basin This spring, DEQ and its contractors began the 2008 property cleanup season. Because of the wet winter and spring, the program got a late start. The Basin Property Remediation Program's goal is to clean up 360 properties this season. About 1/4 of these are expected to be high-risk properties. In order to complete the cleanup efficiently, the program emphasizes target areas. Property cleanups in Mullan and other upper-Basin communities are being emphasized this season. So far, 82 properties have been cleaned up this year. Properties are chosen for cleanup based on criteria set by EPA. High-risk properties within the Coeur d'Alene Basin are the main focus. These are properties which exceed established cleanup levels for contaminants, and are inhabited by children under the age of seven and/or pregnant women. Local contractors are again doing the 2008 property cleanups: Stewart Contracting, in Pinehurst, and Ferguson Contracting of Kellogg. For details, contact Mark Stromberg, DEQ, at 208-783-5781 or mark.stromberg@deq.idaho.gov or Bill Ryan, EPA, at 1-800-424-4372, x8561, or ryan.william@epa.gov Cleanup Beginning at Harvard Road in WA Cleanups along the Spokane River in Washington continue. Work is expected to begin this month at the Harvard Road North Site, about a mile north of the City of Liberty Lake. Work should take about a month to complete. The site is a popular recreation area, and includes one of the few boat launches on the upper river. In coordination with EPA, the Washington Department of Ecology's Toxics Cleanup Program (Ecology) will remove and cap shoreline soils that are contaminated with heavy metals. The contamination is the result of historical mining practices upstream in Idaho. The work is taking place as part of EPA's cleanup decision for the Coeur d'Alene Basin, and is led and funded by Ecology. Cleanup of the site was contingent on the results of trout spawning surveys recently conducted at previously cleaned up sites on the river. The spawning surveys have now been evaluated by agency staff and found to indicate that the proj ect may proceed with no obj ections. For details, contact Zach Hedgpeth at zahe461@ecy.wa.gov or 509- 329-3484; or Ravi Sangaatsanga.ravi@epa.gov or 800-424-4372 x4092. -5 ------- Basin Bulletin August 2008 Opportunities to Get Involved Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission Executive Director: Terry Harwood, 208-783-2528 www. basincommission. com Next Meeting: August 13, 2008, Field Trip Citizens' Coordinating Council (CCC) Contact: John Snider, 208-664-9773 Visit the website for meeting information: www.basincommission.com/CCC.asp Shoshone Natural Resources Coalition (SNRC) Contact: Robin Stanley, 208-744-1118 Groups meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month Call for meeting information Silver Valley Community Resource Center For information on meetings or how to contribute funds, Contact: Barbara Miller, 208-784-8891 www.silvervalleyaction. com The Lands Council Contact: Brian Walker, 509-209-2408 www. landscouncil. org Information Repositories These locations offer collections of documents: North Idaho College Spokane Public Library Molstead Library 906 West Main Avenue 1000 W. Garden Avenue Spokane, WA 99201 Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 509-444-5336 208-769-3355 EPA Field Office Wallace Public Library 1910 Northwest Blvd., Suite 208 415 River Street Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 Wallace, ID 83873 208-664-4588 208-752-4571 EPA Seattle Office St. Maries Library Superfund Record Center 822 W. College Ave. 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 St. Maries, ID 83861 Seattle, WA 98101-3140 -6 ------- Basin Commission Contacts Basin Environmental Improvement Project Allan, Chief; Coeur d'Alene Tribe Buell, Jack; Benewah Cty Commissioner Cantamessa, Jon; Shoshone Cty Commissioner Currie, Rick; Kootenai Cty Commissioner Hardesty, Toni; IDEQ Director Harwood, Terry; BEIPC Executive Director Manning, Jay; State of Washington Miller, Elin; EPA RegionIO Administrator BEIPC Staff DeLange, Jeri; BEIPC George, Dave; WA Dept. of Ecology Hanson, Rob; IDEQ Moreen, Ed; EPA Coeur d'Alene Basin Rep. Stevens, Rebecca; Coeur d'Alene Tribe Technical Leadership Group (TLG) — Adams, Bill; EPA Region 10 Addy, Mark; NRCS Brewer, Lloyd; City of Spokane Box, Steve; U.S. Geological Survey Clark, Greg; U.S. Geological Survey Connolly, Randy; Spokane Tribe Dailey, Anne; EPA Region 10 Fink, Rich; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Flagor, Bob; K-S Soil & Water Cons. District Fortier, David; Bureau of Land Management Fredrickson, Sid; City of Coeur d'Alene Gentry, Dean; Benewah County George, Dave; WA Dept. of Ecology Hansen, Jim; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hardy, Rogers; Benewah County Haynes, Bob; ID Dept. of Water Resources Helmich, Bryan; ID Dept. of Fish & Game Hicks, Kenny; Shoshone County Johnson, Jeff; U.S. Forest Service Kirkpatrick, Bob, U.S. Forest Service Kirschner, Fred; Spokane Tribe LePard, David; ID Dept. of Water Resources Lindsay, Robert; Spokane County Utilities Office Perfect, John; Idaho Transportation Dept. Schlepp, Mike; K-S Soil & Water Cons. District Sheppard, Clyde; Kootenai County Snider, John; Kootenai County Spears, Brian; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Stevens, Rebecca; Coeur d'Alene Tribe Stevenson, Mike; Bureau of Land Management Stromberg, Mark; IDEQ Washburn, Carl; ID Department of Lands Werner, Terry; City of Post Falls Zilka, Nick; IDEQ Zion, Rod: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TLG Project Focus Team (PFT) Leads Basin-wide Monitoring -Anne Dailey Communications-Jeri DeLange Funding - Terry Harwood Recreation Area - Mark Masarik Human Health/Residential - Rob Hanson Lower Basin - Rebecca Stevens Mine and Mill Sites - Bill Adams OU2 Phase II-Anne Dailey and Nick Zilka Repository -Andy Mork, lead Repository - Ed Moreen, vice lead Water Treatment - Bill Adams CCC Project Focus Team Volunteer Leads Human Health/Recreation - Kathy Zanetti Lake Monitoring - Kristy Reed Johnson Updated March 2008 Commission - Jon Cantamessa, Chair Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: 208-686-7803 208-245-3274 208-752-3331 208-446-1604 208-373-0240 208-783-2528 360-407-7001 FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: 208-686-8813 208-245-4364 208-753-2711 208-446-1609 208-373-0417 208-783-4561 360-407-6989 Phone: 206-553-1234 FAX: 206-553-1809 Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Kenny Hicks, Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: : Phone: t Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: s Phone: Jffice Phone: Phone: rict Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: lent Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone 208-783-2548 509-329-3520 208-373-0290 208-664-4588 208-667-5772 Chair 206-553-2806 FAX: 208-783-4561 FAX: 509-329-3572 FAX: 208-373-0154 FAX: 208-664-5829 FAX: 208-667-0919 FAX: 206-553-0124 208-762-4939 x1 06 FAX: 208-762-9859 509-625-6968 509-368-3106 208-387-1 324 509-626-4425 206-553-2110 509-244-5571 208-762-4939 208-769-5022 208-769-2277 208-245-2477 509-329-3520 509-893-8034 208-689-3731 208-762-2801 208-769-1 41 4 208-51 2-2356 208-765-7442 406-329-3307 509-924-0184 208-762-2803 509 477-7259 208-772-1 224 208-689-3593 208-773-9116 208-664-9773 509-893-8032 208-667-5772 208-769-5024 208-783-5781 208-769-1 577 208-773-1 438 208-783-5781 208-667-7025x30 FAX: 509-625-6537 FAX: 509-368-3199 FAX: 208-387-1372 FAX: 509-626-9600 FAX: 206-553-0124 FAX: 208-762-5905 FAX: 208-762-9859 FAX: 208-769-5050 FAX: 208-769-2338 FAX: 509-329-3572 FAX: 509-891-6748 FAX: 208-762-2819 FAX: 208-769-1418 FAX: 208-556-0135 FAX: 208-765-7307 FAX: 406-329-3198 FAX: 208-762-2819 FAX: 509-477-4715 FAX 208-772-1203 FAX: 208-689-3141 FAX: 208-773-0162 FAX: 509-891-6748 FAX: 208-667-0919 FAX: 208-769-5050 FAX: 208-783-4561 FAX: 208-769-1597 FAX: 208-773-0311 FAX: 208-783-4561 FAX: 208-765-69 14 Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: 206-553-2110 208-783-2548 208-783-2528 208-378-5761 208-373-0290 208-667-5772 206-553-2806 206-553-2110 208-373-0141 208-664-4588 206-553-2806 Phone: 208-752-7612 Phone: 208-777-1588 FAX: 206-553-0124 FAX: 209-783-4561 FAX: 208-783-4561 FAX: 208-378-5744 FAX: 208-373-0417 FAX: 208-667-0919 FAX: 206-553-0124 FAX: 206-553-0124 FAX: 208-373-0154 FAX: 208-664-5829 FAX: 206-553-0124 FAX: 208-777-1615 chief@cdatribe-nsn.gov jreynolds@benewahcounty.org com msec@co.shoshone. id. us rcurrie@kcgov.us toni.hardesty@deq.idaho.gov terry.harwood@deq.idaho.gov jaym461 @ecy.wa.gov miller.elin@epa.gov jeri.delange@deq.idaho.gov cgeo461 @ecy. wa.gov rob.hanson@deq.idaho.gov moreen.ed@epa.gov rstevens@cdatribe-nsn.gov adams.bill@epa.gov mark.addy@usda.gov lbrewer@spokanecity.org sbox@usgs.gov gmclark@usgs.gov connolly@spokanetribe.com dailey.anne@epa.gov richard.e.fink@nws02.usace.army.mil ksswcd@icehouse.net david_fo rtier@blm.gov sidf@cdaid.org dgg@smgazette.com cgeo461 @ecy. wa.gov jim_hansen@fws.gov rogershardy@aol.com bob.haynes@idwr.idaho.gov bhelmich@idfg.idaho.gov kandehicks@usamedia.tv jkjohnson@fs.fed.us bkirkpatrick@fs.fed.us fredk@icehouse.net dave.lepard@idwr.idaho.gov rlindsay@spokanecounty.org john.perfect@itd.idaho.gov farmermike@imbris.com chsheppard@adelphia.net jasduke5@imbris.com brian_spears@fws.gov rstevens@cdatribe-nsn.gov mike_stevenson@blm.gov mark.stromberg@deq.idaho.gov cwashburn@idl.idaho.gov twerner@postfallsidaho.org nicholas.zilka@deq.idaho.gov rodney.e.zion@@usace.army.mil dailey.anne@epa.gov jeri.delange@deq.idaho.gov terry.harwood@deq.idaho.gov masarik.mark@epa.gov rob.hanson@deq.idaho.gov rstevens@cdatribe-nsn.gov adams.bill@epa.gov dailey.anne@epa.gov andy.mork@deq.idaho.gov moreen.ed@epa.gov adams.bill@epa.gov hkzanetti@usamedia.tv kristyr@earthlink.net ------- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 Community Involvement and Outreach 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, ETPA-081 Seattle, Washington 98101-3140 Pre-Sorted Standard Postage and Fees Paid U.S. EPA Permit No. G-35 Seattle, WA Basin Bulletin Cleanup Newsletter Coeurd'Alene Basin, ID August 2008 Websites: EPA Coeur d'Alene Basin htto://Yosemite. eoa. aov/R10/CLEANUP. NSF/sites/cda Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission http://www. basincommission. com Technical Leadership Group (TLG) www. basincommission.com/TL G. asp Citizens' Coordinating Council (CCC) http://www.basincommission.com/CCC.asD If you need information in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Lindsay at 800-424-4372. TTY users, please call 800-877-8339. ------- |