Uranium cleanup comment sought
In 1954, Hiroshima was a relatively fresh memory, and three years of fighting in Korea had produced only an uneasy and inconclusive armistice.
If the United States and the Soviet Union were going to wage a Cold War, uranium was a cool thing to have.
So when twin brothers John and Jim LeBret discovered deposits of the radioactive mineral on the Spokane Indian Reservation, it touched off a frenzy in northeast Washington. By January 1955, 200 mining lease applications had been filed in an 18-mile radius of the reservation, Geiger counters became a consumer craze and out-of-town firms like New York giant Newmont Mining showed up to buy out smaller operations.
The coolness wore off. By 1966, a Spokesman-Review article was looking back nostalgically on the ” ‘55 uranium rush” and wondering if interest in nuclear power would make uranium mining profitable again.
Yesterday’s bonanza is today’s bane. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has just opened a month-long comment period on a plan to clean up tons of radioactive waste at the Midnite Mine Superfund site on the reservation. The cost is estimated to be $152 million, at least some of which the EPA hopes to recover from Newmont and its subsidiary, Dawn Mining Co.
To learn more about the plan, you can attend either of two informational meetings at the Longhouse on Sherwood Loop Road in Wellpinit, Wash. The meetings will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Interested citizens can present comments in person at another meeting, in the same location, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Written comments — postmarked or e-mailed by Nov. 7 — can be sent to Ellie Hale, project manager, U.S.E.P.A., 1200 Sixth Ave. ECL-115, Seattle, WA 98101 or to hale.ellie@epa.gov.
Who’s a contributing citizen? The Spokesman-Review plans to honor a resident of the Inland Northwest who stands out for his or her civic energy and dedication. The individual chosen will be profiled in an editorial to be published on New Year’s Day.
We’re interested in hearing your suggestions. If you know of someone who’s made a notable, positive impact on the community by practicing enthusiastic citizenship, send us a note explaining why that person is worthy.
Send your recommendations to Editorial Page Editor Doug Floyd at dougf@spokesman.com or in care of The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.