Agreement Reached On Ineel Cleanup

The federal government and the state have agreed on a cleanup of contaminated spots at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory’s Central Facilities Area.

The record of decision details the plan to deal with contaminated soil at a waste pond, a sewage plant drainfield and a transformer yard. They currently pose a risk to people and the environment.

The original buildings there were built in the 1940s for Navy gunnery range personnel, shops and warehouses. Commercial waste is treated and disposed of in a landfill.

The contamination consists of mercury at the pond, cesium-137 at the drainfield and lead at the transformer yard.

A report identified nitrate concentrations over the federal safe drinking water standard in two wells there.