August 3, 2000

Superfund money may be used to clean up Idaho mines

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) -- The state is weighing Superfund designations for 520 separate projects as part of its strategy for cleaning up mining wastes in the Silver Valley.

The proposed $478 million plan won't include Superfund sites around Lake Coeur d'Alene, but it includes nearly $10 million for cleaning up contaminated sediments in the Spokane River in Washington state.

The state's plan would use federal Superfund money to attack major contamination upriver from Lake Coeur d'Alene.

State officials don't want to use Superfund money for every project, but are looking at which of hundreds of cleanup projects would fit. They could include demolishing mill sites at major mines, or digging up contaminated sediments in the lower Coeur d'Alene River.

"We are looking at those to see where Superfund fits," state Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Allred said.

Activists hailed the possible use of Superfund money as a positive step.

"I'm glad the state is willing to use Superfund dollars, because that adds to the prospects for cleanup," said Michelle Nanni of The Lands Council in Spokane.

Some elected officials in Washington state said they fear the stigma attached to a Superfund designation at Spokane River beaches. Washington state concerns were not included in early drafts of Idaho's cleanup proposal, said John Roland of the Department of Ecology.

The plan now includes $9.45 million to $11.5 million for work to clean up heavy metal contamination of the Spokane River.

Mining companies have complained the state's plan costs too much.