upper Columbia River Designated Superfund Site After Decades of Pollution
After more than two decades of scrutiny and debate,portions of the Upper Columbia River have been declared a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This designation, announced on Friday, specifically targets contamination stemming from mining operations in Canada, primarily from the Teck Metals Ltd. smelter in Trail, British Columbia.
The Superfund designation encompasses a 150-mile stretch of the Columbia River from the Canadian border to Grand Coulee Dam. However, topographical surveys have revealed that contamination hotspots spread across various sites along this corridor.
“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,” explained Bill Dunbar, EPA spokesman.“There likely will be several sites that we need to clean up within this larger area.”
The good
news is that the Superfund designation is not expected to disrupt recreational activities on Lake Roosevelt. The EPA has confirmed that the water itself is not a primary concern.
“There shouldn’t be any impact on the people who use the river recreationally,” Dunbar reassured. “The water is not the concern. It’s the soils and, potentially, river sediments.”
Studies have confirmed the presence of lead and arsenic in the soil, posing a
health risk, particularly to children and women of childbearing age. Casey Sixkiller, regional administrator of EPA’s Region 10 office in Seattle, emphasized the severity of the situation. “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,” Sixkiller stated.
He continued “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 surroundings.”
The EPA has already identified areas needing immediate cleanup,primarily residential yards in Northport,Washington,where lead and arsenic levels exceed safety thresholds. Additional testing will be conducted along the corridor to identify further sites requiring remediation.
The Superfund designation unlocks crucial federal funding to support the cleanup efforts. “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,” Sixkiller affirmed.
Over the years, the pollution in the Upper Columbia River has been a contentious issue between officials in the United States and Canada.
“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,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
“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, which borders over half of the designated area, stands to benefit greatly from the additional federal funding. According to Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson, “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.”
EPA Designates Upper Columbia River Site as Superfund Site
In a important move to address longstanding environmental concerns, the environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially designated a stretch of the Upper Columbia River as a Superfund site. This decision comes after years of advocacy from the Spokane Tribe and environmental groups who have raised alarms about contamination in the area, primarily stemming from past mining operations.
The Superfund designation unlocks crucial federal funding for a thorough cleanup effort, a advancement hailed by tribal leaders and environmental advocates alike. “This is a major victory for the
health and well-being of our people and the future of the Upper Columbia River,” said Spokane Tribal Council Chairman Abel estrada. “For generations, our tribe has relied on this river for sustenance and cultural practices. It’s time to restore it to its rightful place as a source of life and vitality.”
“while this is a major step forward, we know there’s a long road ahead,” said EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “The Superfund process is rigorous and transparent, and we’re committed to working with the community, the Spokane Tribe, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive cleanup plan that reflects the unique needs of this ecosystem.”
Decades of Contamination
the contamination at the Upper Columbia River site is largely attributed to past mining activities by teck Resources. For decades, the company’s Trail Operations facility released hazardous substances into the river, contaminating sediments and posing potential risks to human
health and the environment.
“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,” said Gregory Abrahamson, Chairman of the Spokane Tribal Business Council.
“We remain acutely concerned that many more generations of the Spokane people must endure uncertainty about site conditions and risks due to the presence of hazardous substances,” said Abrahamson.
A Long Fight for Cleanup
The Spokane Tribe lobbied for the Superfund designation for nearly two decades, persistent in their call for a full cleanup of the site. “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,” said Abrahamson.
While Teck Resources has funded studies under EPA direction to assess the contamination,the company has not been required to undertake a complete cleanup. In response to the Superfund designation, a Teck spokesman stated that the company has invested over $190 million in extensive studies over the past 18 years.
“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,” said Dale Steeves, Teck Spokesman.
However, EPA officials emphasize that the primary concerns center on soil deposits, which pose a continuing risk to the ecosystem.
The Superfund designation marks a turning point in the fight for a cleaner Upper Columbia River. While federal officials continue discussions about funding for the cleanup, the EPA’s commitment to holding polluters accountable offers a glimmer of hope for the future of this vital waterway.
