Commission Would Guide Cleanup

Idaho environmental officials want to create a powerful commission to guide cleanup of mining contamination.

It would replace the existing, governor-appointed Coeur d’Alene Basin Commission. It would have the authority to spend money from a trust fund, to enter agreements with governments.

“`This is not a state entity, but its own,” said Steve Allred, director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

The seven commissioners would represent Idaho, Washington, the federal government and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, as well as Shoshone, Kootenai and Benewah counties. It would be created by agreements signed by all of those parties.

Every single commissioner would have veto power, Allred said Wednesday.

Allred emphasized that the state is eager for input to the tentative plan. In a presentation to the Coeur d’Alene Basin Commission, he handed out copies of a “Discussion Paper Regarding the Coeur d’Alene Environmental Improvement Act.”

The act would be presented to the 2001 Idaho Legislature for approval. Congress and the tribe also would have to approve the commission. So would the state of Washington, if it chooses to participate.

As proposed, the local representatives would be members of the three county commissions.

Cleanup money from various sources would be kept in a trust fund. That would be overseen by representatives of Idaho, Washington, the federal government and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

On Wednesday, members of the Coeur d’Alene Basin Commission formed a subcommittee to decide what position to take regarding the proposal to replace them.