State Effort Designed To Save Environment

Sat., Aug. 5, 2000

C. Stephen Allred Special To Handle Extra

The state of Idaho is taking a lead role in facilitating a settlement and remedy of the water quality and natural resource damage in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin. As part of those efforts, the Department of Environmental Quality is developing a remedial alternative to address issues associated with contamination in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin.

This draft alternative will be presented to the public shortly and then will be the subject of a comprehensive public participation effort. The state is committed to a comprehensive cleanup strategy in this region supported by all of the stakeholders. The cleanup must be accomplished in a manner which will maintain and improve the economic vitality of the region.

The state of Idaho remedial alternative will provide a framework to guide environmental improvement efforts in the Basin over the next 30 years. Through years of efforts, much is known about the geographical extent and relative risk of existing environmental contamination in the Basin. The scientific record indicates that Lake Coeur d’Alene is impacted by metals, but is not a source. It is a healthy water body which continues to improve.

Solutions to further reduce metals concentration in the lake will require programs upstream in its watershed. The task that we have before us as we improve the environment is significant and it is critical that we prioritize efforts. We must achieve the maximum benefit from the limited resources available.

As remedial projects are implemented to address the high metal-loading source areas in the Basin upstream from the lake, certain management practices will need to be implemented in the impacted areas down below. The local community needs to be involved in and supportive of these efforts. The state is committed to working cooperatively with local communities and interests and the tribal and federal governments.

Given the breadth of contamination in the Basin, cleanup will be very expensive. We may need to rely on Superfund as a source of funding for a limited number of site-specific projects. In addition to settlement monies provided by the responsible parties, the state’s remedial plan will identify those limited areas where we believe Superfund monies should be utilized. Any wholesale identification of the Basin as a Superfund site is unacceptable to - and will not be tolerated by - the state of Idaho.

The efforts of the state of Idaho are designed to bring certainty to the Basin. Certainty that will improve the environment; certainty that will allow people to go forward with their own plans; and, certainty that the health of our citizens is protected.

It is important, after 20 years of uncertainty and all of the negative impacts of that uncertainty, that we make decisions now and implement them quickly. Success will require everyone, local, state and federal agencies, the tribe, our congressional delegation, and the citizens of the Basin, become active supporters and participants in the solution.

The Silver Valley is a unique and beautiful region. The people of the community and their culture must be preserved and respected. The state seeks a practical and achievable long-term solution to manage or reduce the risk from contaminants in the Basin. Concurrently, the state is committed to an effort to stabilize and improve the economy of the area. In this case, environmental quality and economic vitality are interdependent.

This sidebar appeared with the story: THE EXPLAINER

Curious about how something works in local government? Just ask us, and we’ll ask for a thorough written explanation from the agency involved. Reach us by e-mail at kens@spokesman.com, by fax at 765-7149, or by mail at 608 Northwest Blvd. Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.