Epa Lets Smaller Idaho Mines Off Hook Drops Half Of The Investigated Companies From Pollution Suit

Fri., Aug. 22, 1997

By Angie Gaddy angieg@spokesman.com

After demanding information from 80 mining companies dating to the 1880s, more than half have been dropped from a billion dollar lawsuit over pollution in the Silver Valley, federal officials said Thursday.

The Environmental Protection Agency will drop 52 companies from its investigation. Although only eight companies have been named so far, 26 companies may be added soon, officials said.

Some small mining companies were outraged two months ago when the EPA notified them they had 14 days to dig up materials dating to the 1800s. Many of those companies have no operations or officers.

The federal move also angered members of Idaho’s congressional delegation, and EPA deputy regional administrator Charles Findley admitted the request was heavy-handed.

Regardless, most companies complied with that request, EPA attorney Cliff Villa said. By supplying the information, small companies kept themselves from being named in the massive environmental lawsuit.

“A lot of people did themselves a lot of favors by being forthcoming with the information,” Villa said.

No company names have been released, other than the eight named in the suit.

The Justice Department must now give its approval to the list before the Aug. 29 deadline when a final version of the lawsuit must be filed in federal court.

The lawsuit, filed five years ago by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior, seeks money for the cleanup of the basin from mining pollution.

Most companies named have known for years that they would be included.

“I don’t know if there will be any surprises,” Villa said. The companies being dropped from investigation are typically smaller companies the EPA has determined have not had a huge impact on the area, officials said.

The eight companies named in the suit are ASARCO Inc., Government Gulch Mining Co., Federal Mining and Smelting Inc., Hecla Mining Co., Sunshine Mining Co., Sunshine Precious Metals Inc., Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp. and Callahan Mining Corp.

Some companies have expressed interest in out-of-court settlements, Villa said.

After the case has been filed in court, companies still can settle out of court, Villa said.

, DataTimes MEMO: IDAHO HEADLINE: EPA lets mines off the hook

IDAHO HEADLINE: EPA lets mines off the hook

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