vvERA M A Quarterly Review of Cleanup in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin In This Issue: • Coeur d'Alene Basin: A Time of Opportunity • Birds to Get Safer, Cleaner Feeding Grounds • EPA Follows Up On NAS Review • Blood-Lead Testing Coming Up this Summer • Starr Road Rec Area Cleanup to Begin in Washington • Mine and Mill Sites Overview • EPA Puts In Wells At Canyon Creek • Fish Bones Reduce Metals in Ninemile Creek • Calendar of Events r ' Next Basin Commission meeting ' I June 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. I Coeur d'Alene Inn J EPA Community Involvement Contact Debra Sherbina 800-424-4372 ext. 0247 sherbina. debra @ epa. gov (see back page for website) Coeur d'Alene Basin: A Time of Opportunity A Message from Regional Administrator Michael Bogert As a new member of the EPA team and an Idaho native, I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission and be a part of the important cleanup under way in the Silver Valley. It is a time for new opportunity in the Coeur d'Alene Basin. After many years of cleanup, public health concerns are being addressed and environmental improvements realized. Cleanup areas are being returned to productive use, while the local economy is gaining strength. EPA is pleased about North Idaho's community redevelopment work and infrastructure initiatives. We share in the excitement about the area's strong economic growth. EPA's commitment to the health of the Basin and its people remains strong. Our goal is to complete the cleanup and leave the area a cleaner, safer place. It's a tough, complicated job that will take time and the cooperation of many people and agencies. EPA believes the Basin Commission is the best forum for collabo- ration and local involvement in the cleanup. Government agencies at all levels can work together toward a common vision — a cleaner, healthier place to live, work, and raise our families. The Basin Commission plays a unique and instrumental role in the cleanup. EPA looks to the Commission to help set our cleanup (continued, on page 2) ------- Basin Bulletin Spring 2006 A Time of Opportunity (continued) A Message from Michael Bogert priorities, make sure that local views are heard and considered, and tap technical experts in the area. The Basin Commission provides a unique opportunity to identify new ways of working together, highlighting progress, and creating a working environment where creative ideas and collaboration thrive. EPA encourages local residents to become informed about and involved in the cleanup work. Basin Commission meetings are open to the public and are held every three to four months. The next Basin Commission meeting will be held June 21, in Coeur d'Alene, at the Coeur d'Alene Inn, 414 W. Appleway, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Basin Commission website at www. basincommission. com . The Commission The Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission is a local coordinating body created by Idaho state law. The Commission is in charge of developing cleanup work plans, sharing project information, giving technical advice, coordinating work with local priorities, and providing a forum for public participation in those decisions. It includes representatives from the federal government, the states of Idaho and Washington, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and three north Idaho counties. Michael Bogert, EPA regional administrator, serves as the commissioner representing federal agencies. Birds to Get Safer, Cleaner Feeding Grounds Migrating waterfowl flying over Idaho's Panhandle will have a safe new place to rest and feed, thanks to a newly forged Conservation Easement Agreement in the Coeur d'Alene Basin. The agreement was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and a willing private-property owner. It is an important first step in addressing contaminated wildlife feeding areas in the Basin. This agreement covers about 400 acres in the Coeur d'Alene River valley near Medimont, Idaho. It is a key part of the Basin mine-waste cleanup. It is an unusual partnership of federal, state, tribal, and private parties, and a non-profit wetland conservation organization. They are launching this cost-effective project to reduce waterfowl deaths in the Lower Basin. "Public and private interests have come together in Idaho on behalf of waterfowl and other wild- life," said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Bogert. "This innovative, collaborative effort directly benefits the resource, the community, and our project partners. I can't think of a r r v better way to kick off another season of progress in the Basin cleanup." More than a century of mining has contaminated the sediment of Coeur d'Alene River, nearby lakes, and wetlands. The sediment has high levels of cadmium, lead, zinc, and other metals. As a result, waterfowl often eat lead-contaminated sediment and suffer serious toxic effects or die. An annual "die-off' of waterfowl has taken place in the area for decades. The agreement was established under EPA's 2002 Bunker Hill Record of Decision. Over the coming months, EPA, FWS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will clean up the easement area, converting the agricultural land to clean feeding habitat. In coming years, the FWS proposes to do a wetland restoration project at this site. By returning the area to a more natural state, the partnership predicts it will be an attractive feeding area and safer habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. The property will continue to be owned by the private owner and will not be open to the public. (continued) -2 ------- Basin Bulletin Spring 2006 Birds to Get Safer, Cleaner Feeding Grounds The EPA, U.S. Department of the Interior, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe have agreed to coordinate on the cleanup, restoration, and long-term operation and maintenance of the conservation easement area. The Army Corps of Engineers and Avista Utilities have also supported the project. (continued) "This is another fine example of what can happen when Idahoans and EPA work together," EPA's Bogert declared. For more information contact Anne Dailey, EPA, at 800-424-4372, x2110 or dailev.anne@epa.gov . EPA Follows Up on NAS Review EPA continues to follow up on the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) final report: Superfund and Mining Megasites—Lessons from the Coeur d'Alene River Basin. For example, EPA Region 10 will evaluate technical issues related to the NAS recommendations. During planning, study, and design of the ecological remedy, the region will evaluate the potential for recontamination in the floodplain and study groundwater contamination. EPA will focus on groundwater contamination and source control as it carries out the current interim remedy and plans for the final remedy. EPA Region 10 recently finished evaluating groundwater and surface conditions in the Box non-populated areas. The region has also adjusted the Basin environmental monitoring program in part in response to NAS recommendations. The NAS recommendations will assist the region and other key stakeholders in carrying out the Coeur d'Alene Basin remedy. EPA remains committed to working with the Coeur d'Alene Basin Commission, including the Commission's Technical Leadership Group and Citizens' Coordinating Council. How to View the Final NAS Report Local Libraries: Copies of the final report have been placed in the repositories (see page 7). EPA Web page: The report is available on the EPA Headquarters Superfund website at: http:// www.epa.aov/superfund/reports/coeur.htm NAS Web page: The final report is available for purchase in both paperback and PDF book format from the NAS Web page at http:// www.nas.edu (search on "Coeur"). Starr Road Rec Area Cleanup to Begin in ^ This summer, EPA, with the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and in coordi- nation with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), plans to clean up the Stan- Road Recreation Area. This area runs along the Spokane River in Washington. It is one of the ten shoreline recreation areas identified for cleanup in EPA's Coeur d'Alene Basin (Operable Unit 3) Record of Decision. Baywest, Inc. has been awarded the cleanup contract for Starr Road through the Corps. The cleanup is expected to begin in early August. It will involve excavating shoreline soils and capping upland areas. Workers will develop a path that will direct the public to the newly cleaned up areas. A small pull-out area that can be used for parking and direct access to the shoreline will also be created. During the cleanup, Starr Road will be closed to the public. Signs will be posted to let people know how long the road will stay closed. EPA and Ecology plan to send out a fact sheet near the start date to residents in the area. For more information contact Ravi Sanga, EPA, at 800-424-4372, x4092 or sanga.ravi@epa.gov: or Zach Hedgpeth, Ecology, at 503-329-3484 or zahe461 @ ecv. wa. gov. -3 ------- Basin Bulletin Spring 2006 Blood-Lead Testing Coming Up This Summer Each summer, the Panhandle Health District (PHD) offers blood-lead testing during a two-week period. This year, testing is expected to take place in both the Box and Basin. Watch for newspaper and radio ads and mailers with more details soon. To reach the PHD, call 208-783-0707. The Basin blood-lead screening program covers children 6 months to 6 years old. The Box testing program covers children aged 6 months to 9 years. Younger children are more at risk from lead exposure. PHD Continues Lead Education in Schools In late spring, PHD will send public health nurses out to Box and Basin schools. The nurses' services are offered to public schools, Headstart, and the Christian Academy. The program teaches children from kindergarten through third grade about lead, how it can affect them, and how to avoid it. The children learn through puppet shows, an interactive doll house, and other presentations, Children also take brochures home to their families. PHD Offers Brochures and Vacuums The PHD office at 114 W. Riverside in Kellogg offers free brochures about lead, and posts these brochures at local doctors' offices. The brochures cover how lead affects the body, how lead can affect pregnant women and unborn children, and other topics. PHD also loans vacuum cleaners to Box residents. Mine and Mill Sites Overview Golconda: Those of you who have been out and about in the Basin may have noticed the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ's) work on the Golconda site. DEQ's contractor, Ferguson Contracting, is doing Phase 1 of the Golconda Mine/Mill site project, between Wallace and Mullan. Phase 1 involves building several water conveyance features. These will limit infiltration through contaminated materials to protect water quality. Despite its appearance, the bridge is temporary. EPA will perform Phase II of the cleanup this July or August. Workers will remove mine tailings from the floodplain and consolidate them in an upland area. Armoring will be placed along the base of the waste rock pile and the stream bank to limit erosion and sediment loading to the river. During this part of the project, the temporary bridge DEQ installed will stay in place. People using the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes near the site should be aware of construction activity and possible short detours. Signs are posted along the trail to notify trail users of this activity. Rex: EPA's contractor Parametrix/CDM is wrapping up the design details for this site. Actions will include installing a collection pond for surface water and groundwater, removing debris, and capping highly Photo, courtesy of Idaho DEQ State builds temporary bridge for Golconda work. contaminated soils. Workers will also build a toe buttress at the tailings dam to improve stability, and consolidate all tailings at one location. The site will be sloped and capped with clean materials. One of the designs being considered would require the lower access road to close permanently. If this takes place, the alternate route around the site would be the Sunset Peak road off of Dobson Pass. Constitution: Cleanup work at this site has been scheduled to begin in early May. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded the construction contract to TPA-CKY. This firm has hired local (continued) -4 ------- Basin Bulletin Spring 2006 Mine and Mill Sites Overview (continued) subcontractors. The plan is to consolidate and cap tailings at the Upper Constitution site and provide overall surface water controls. For more information on any of the above mine and mill sites, contact Bill Adams, EPA, 800-424- 4372, x2806, or adams.bill @epa. gov: or Nick Zilka. DEQ, at 208-783-5781, ornicholas.zilka@deq.idaho.gov. EPA Puts in Wells at Canyon Creek EPA's recently-completed treatability studies focused on treating Canyon Creek groundwater with higher concen- trations of metals, rather than large amounts of surface water. Early study results are promising, and EPA is confident we can efficiently treat this groundwater. However, we need to find out if treatment will reduce surface-water metals concentrations to meet the goals of the Superfund Record of Decision. To help answer that question, EPA has designed an investigation which will better define the relationship between groundwater and surface water. Part of this work means installing wells, piezometers, and stream gaging stations that will automatically measure ground- water and surface water heights. It is important that we capture this information during spring runoff, when water Workers put in a groundwater monitoring well next to Canyon Creek. level changes are greatest. By mid April about eight wells, 15 piezometers, and three stream gages had been installed. EPA will use this information and the previous studies to develop and evaluate treatment options for Canyon Creek. Before choosing and designing a treatment system, we will seek public input on the preferred approach. For details, contact Bill Adams, EPA, 800-424-4372, x2806, or adams.bill@epa.gov. Fish Bones Reduce Metals in Ninemile Creek Over the past four years, EPA, Idaho National Laboratory, and Basin Commission stakeholders have been working on a pilot passive treatment system at the Success site in Ninemile Creek. This is a former mine tailings disposal area next to a tributary of the Coeur d'Alene River. The study evaluated how effective fish bones are in removing metals such as zinc, lead, and cadmium from ground- water. These metals are coming from mine tailings and waste rock near the site. In other past EPA studies, such as the Nevada Stewart Mine study near Pine Creek, fish bones have removed metals through physical and chemical processes. For the Ninemile Creek project, a two-celled vault was placed along the creek, behind a groundwater cutoff wall. Groundwater was diverted through underground pipes into this vault for treat- ment, then discharged back to the east fork of the creek. Test results showed that over four years, the fish bones successfully removed about 150 pounds of lead, 100 pounds of cadmium, and 10,000 pounds of zinc. This is important because high levels of these metals can harm aquatic life such as fish. This technology may help treat water in the Basin at remote sites where no power is available and water flows are small. For details, contact Bill Adams, EPA, 800-424- 4372, x2806, or adams.bill@epa.gov. -5 ------- Basin Commission Contacts Updated April 2006 Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission - Sherry Krulitz, Chair Bogert, Michael; EPA Region 10 Administrator Buell, Jack; Benewah County Commissioner Cernera, Phil; Coeurd'AleneTribe Currie, Rick; Kootenai County Commissioner Hardesty, Toni; IDEQ Director Harwood, Terry; BEIPC Executive Director Krulitz, Sherry; Shoshone County Commissioner Manning, Jay; State of Washington BEIPC Staff Beckwith, Mike; Coeurd'Alene Tribe DeLange, Jeri; BEIPC George, Dave; WADept. of Ecology Hanson, Rob; IDEQ Moreen, Ed; EPA Coeurd'Alene Basin Rep. Phone:206-553-1234 Phone: 208-245-3274 Phone: 208-667-5772 Phone:208-446-1604 Phone: 208-373-0240 Phone: 208-783-2528 Phone: 208-752-3331 Phone: 360-407-7001 Phone:208-686-0159 Phone: 208-783-2548 Phone: 509-329-3520 Phone: 208-373-0290 Phone: 208-664-4588 Technical Leadership Group (TLG) — Brian Spears, Chair Adams, Bill; EPA Region 10 Addy, Mark; NRCS Beckwith, Mike; Coeurd'Alene Tribe Brewer, Lloyd; City of Spokane Clark, Greg; U.S. Geological Survey Connolly, Randy; Spokane Tribe Dailey, Anne; EPA Region 10 Dierich, Ginny; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fink, Rich; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fortier, David; Bureau of Land Management Fredrickson, Sid; City of Coeurd'Alene Gentry, Dean; Benewah County George, Dave; WADept. of Ecology Hansen, Jim; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hardy, Rogers; Benewah County Helmich, Bryan; ID Dept. of Fish & Game 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; Coeurd'Alene Tribe Stevenson, Mike; Bureau of Land Management Stokes, Scott; IDTransp. Dept. Stromberg, Mark; IDEQ Suhr, Dave; Shoshone County Washburn, Carl; ID Department of Lands Werner, Terry; City of Post Falls Zilka, Nick; IDEQ TLG Project Focus Team (PFT) Leads Basin-wide Monitoring-Anne Dailey Funding - Terry Harwood Human Health/Recreation - Mark Masarik Human Health/Residential - Rob Hanson Lake Monitoring - Mike Beckwith 0U2 Phase II -Anne Dailey and Nick Zilka Repository-John Lawson Repository - Ed Moreen Stream bank Stabilization - Dave George Stream bank Stabilization - Nick Zilka Upper Basin Source Areas-Bill Adams Water Treatment/Canyon Creek - Bill Adams WaterTreatment/Mullan l/l - Mark Stromberg CCC Project Focus Team Volunteer Leads Human Health/Recreation - Kathy Zanetti Lake Monitoring - Kristy Reed Johnson Phone: 208-769-5022 Phone: 208-769-2367 Phone: 208-245-2477 Phone: 509-329-3520 Phone: 509-893-8034 Phone:208-689-3731 Phone:208-769-1414 Phone: 208-765-7442 Phone: 406-329-3307 Phone:509-924-0184 Phone:208-769-1450 Phone: 509 477-7259 Phone:208-772-1224 Phone: 208-689-3593 Phone:208-773-9116 Phone: 208-664-9773 Phone: 509-893-8032 Phone: 208-667-5772 Phone: 208-769-5024 Phone 208-772-1201 Phone: 208-783-5781 Phone: 208-556-4471 Phone: 208-666-8606 Phone: 208-777-9857 Phone: 208-783-5781 Phone:206-553-2110 Phone: 208-783-2528 Phone: 208-378-5761 Phone: 208-373-0290 Phone:208-686-0159 Phone:206-553-2110 Phone:208-373-0141 Phone: 208-664-4588 Phone:509-625-5120 Phone: 208-783-5780 Phone: 206-553-2806 Phone: 206-553-2806 Phone: 208-783-5781 Phone:208-752-7612 Phone:208-777-1588 FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: 206-553- 208-245- 208-686- 208-446- 208-373- 208-783- 208-753- 360-407- ¦1809 ¦4364 3021 1609 ¦0417 ¦4561 ¦2711 6989 Phone: 206-553-2806 FAX: Phone: 208-762-4939 x106 FAX: Phone:208-686-0159 FAX: Phone: 509-625-6968 FAX: Phone:208-387-1324 FAx: Phone: 509-258-7709 x13 FAX: Phone:206-553-2110 FAX: Phone: 206-764-3265 FAX: Phone: 208-762-5915x222 FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: FAX: 208-686-7221 208-783-4561 509-329-3572 208-373-0417 208-664-5829 206-553-0124 208-762-9859 208-686-7221 509-625-6537 208-387-1372 509-258-9600 206-553-0124 206-764-3706 208-762-5905 208-769-5050 208-769-2366 509-329-3572 509-891-6748 208-769-1418 208-765-7307 406-329-3198 208-769-1454 509 477-4715 208-772-1203 208-689-3141 208-773-0162 509-891-6748 208-762-9859 208-769-5050 208-772-1203 208-783-4561 208-769-1597 208-773-0549 208-783-4561 206-553- 208-783- 208-378- 208-373- 208-686- 206-553- ¦0124 ¦4561 ¦5744 ¦0417 3021 ¦0124 208-664-5829 509-456-6175 208-783-4561 206-553-0124 206-553-0124 FAX: 208-777-1615 bogert. michael @ epa.gov ksather@ benewahcounty.org philc@cdatribe-nsn.gov rcurrie@kcgov.us toni.hardesty@deq.idaho.gov terry, harwood @ deq. idaho.gov commsec@co.shoshone.id.us jaym461 @ecy.wa.gov mbeckwith@cdatribe-nsn.gov jeri.delange@deq.idaho.gov cgeo461 @ecy.wa.gov rob.hanson@deq.idaho.gov moreen.ed@epa.gov adams.bill@epa.gov mark, addy @ usda.gov mbeckwith@cdatribe-nsn.gov lbrewer@spokanecity.org gmclark@usgs.gov connolly@spokanetribe.com dailey.anne@epa.gov elizabeth.v.dierich@usace.army.mil richard.e.fink@usace.army.mil david_fortier@blm.gov sidf@cdaid.org dgg@smgazette.com cgeo461 @ecy.wa.gov jim_hansen@fws.gov rogershardy@aol.com bhelmich @ idfg.idaho.gov jkjohnson@fs.fed.us bkirkpatrick@fs.fed.us fredk@icehouse.net dave.lepard@idwr.idaho.gov riindsay@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 sstokes@itd.idaho.gov mark.stromberg@deq.idaho.gov dmsuhr@imbris.com cwashbum@idl.state.id.us twemer@ postfallsidaho.org nicholas.zilka@deq.idaho.gov dailey.anne@epa.gov terry, harwood @ deq. idaho.gov masarik.mark@epa.gov rob.hanson@deq.idaho.gov mbeckwith@cdatribe-nsn.gov dailey.anne@epa.gov john.lawson@deq.idaho.gov moreen.ed@epa.gov cgeo461 @ecy.wa.gov nicholas.zilka@deq.idaho.gov adams.bill@epa.gov adams.bill@epa.gov mark.stromberg@deq.idaho.gov hkzanetti @ usamedia.tv kristyr@earthlink.net -6 ------- Basin Bulletin Spring 2006 Calendar of Events Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission Executive Director: Terry Harwood, 208-783-2528 www.basincommission.com Next Meeting: June 21, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Coeur d'Alene Inn, 414 W. Appleway, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Citizens' Coordinating Council (CCC) Next Meeting: May 17, 2006, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Avista Utilities Bldg. Conference Center (side door, R of front entrance) 120 N. Hill Street in Kellogg, Idaho Contact: John Snider, 208-664-9773 Visit the website: www.basincommission.com/CCC.asp Coeur d'Alene Basin Citizens Advisory Committee (CBCAC) Contact: John Snider, 208-664-9773 Shoshone Natural Resources Coalition (SNRC) Contact: Robin Stanley, 208-744-1118 Groups meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Brooks Hotel, 500 Cedar Street, Wallace, ID Silver Valley Community Resource Center For information on meetings or how to contribute funds, Contact: Barbara Miller, 208-784-8891 PO Box 362, Kellogg, ID 83837 Washington Citizens Advisory Committee (WCAC) Contact: Lloyd Brewer, 509-625-6968 Regular Board meetings scheduled for 5:30 pm on the first Wednesday of each month, at City of Spokane Water Dept. Conference Room, 914 E. North Foothills Drive. Information Repositories These locations North Idaho College Molstead Library 1000 W. Garden Avenue Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 208-769-3355 Wallace Public Library 415 River Street Wallace, ID 83873 208-752-4571 Harrison City Hall 100 Frederick Street P.O. Box 73 Harrison, ID 83833 208-689-3212 collections of documents: Spokane Public Library 906 West Main Avenue Spokane, WA 99201 509-444-5336 EPA Field Office 1910 Northwest Blvd., Suite 208 Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 208-664-4588 EPA Seattle Office Superfund Record Center 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101-1128 206-553-4494 or 800-424-4372 ------- &EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 Community Involvement and Outreach 1200 Sixth Avenue, ETPA-081 Seattle, WA 98101-1128 Basin Bulletin Quarterly Newsletter Coeur d'Alene Basin, Idaho Spring 2006 Comings and Goings Please welcome Anne McCauley, a new EPA Bunker Hill team member, who began her job on March 20. Anne has worked for EPA for 11 years. Her background includes environmental investigation and cleanup. She previously worked for the Corps of Engineers, assisting in some of the Box yards cleanup. Anne will be working with the community, officials, and agencies to address a number of the remaining projects within the Box. You can reach her at 800-424- 4372, x4689, or mccaulev.anne @epa. sov . Websites: EPA Coeur d'Alene Basin http://Yosemite.epa.aov/R 10/ CLEANUPNSF/sites/cda Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission http://www.basincommission.com Technical Leadership Group (TLG) www.basincommission.com/TLG.asp Citizens' Coordinating Council (CCC) http://www.basincommission.com/CCC.asp 51 If you need information in an alternative format, please con tact Debra Sherbina at 800-424-4372. TTY users, please call 800-877-8339. ------- |