If you see an armada of kayaks led by Julie Dalsaso this coming Saturday near the Blackwell Island marina here’s why: Along with the Kootenai Environmental Alliance, she wants citizens to look at the area where the Hagadone’s are planning to release 121,000 cubic yards of sediments so they can build a new port for luxury yachts with no regard to public health. This is the uppermost reach of the Spokane River, a popular spot for paddlers. But what lies beneath are heavy metals from a century of mining in Silver Valley.

(Photo of the Blackwell Island marina)

“The Lake Management Plan does not call for dredging of the lake bottom because it’s thought that leaving the contaminated soils in place is a safer management solution,” attorney Rick Eichstaedt said here at the Center For Justice. “So this proposal sets a negative precedent. We don’t have a plan for dealing with dredging like this in the lake.” Eichstaedt also added he’s concerned about the close connection between the lake, the river, and the underlying Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie aquifer which to our shock is only eighty feet beneath the surface in the planned area for digging.

The public hearing on the Marina Yacht Club, LLC proposal is scheduled for June 4th in the Sundance Room at the Idaho Department of Lands ofifce, 3780 Industrial Avenue South, in Coeur d’Alene. For those who want to participate in Julie Dalsaso’s paddling tour on Saturday May 16th, contact the Kootenai Environmental Alliance. Or phone at (208) 667-9093, or email the Alliance at  info@kealliance.org

.We’ll keep you posted as this story develops.

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