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EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan, Schedules Public Meetings

Release Date: 10/29/2001
Contact Information: Sheila Eckman
eckman.sheila@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-0455


October 29, 2001
01-035



With the public debut of its proposed plan for cleaning up the Coeur d’Alene Basin, the EPA has also announced a schedule of four public meetings to gather public impressions of the Agency’s multi-year plan and schedule. The proposed plan for mine waste cleanup in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin became officially available today for public review and comment.

According to John Iani, EPA regional administrator, the release of the proposed plan marks an important milestone in the process and continues to move the cleanup forward.

“Our proposed plan is the product of four years of intense collaboration,” said Iani. “We’re committed to creating a flexible, affordable and effective cleanup that protects families and the environment. We want to provide as much certainty as we can and are listening to all ideas about how to make this process work better for everyone. Standing together with the states, tribes, and other federal agencies, we pledge to do what’s right for the Basin.”

The Proposed Plan describes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) preferred course of action for addressing certain on-going human health and environmental risks posed by historical mining contamination in the Basin. The Plan includes proposed actions for areas throughout the Basin – from Mullan, Idaho to Spokane, Washington. The Plan provides a formal opportunity for the public to comment on EPA’s cleanup plans for the Basin. After reviewing and responding to comments on the Proposed Plan, EPA plans to issue its final decision in early 2002 in the Record of Decision.

The meetings will begin at 6:00 pm with availability sessions. Presentations will start at 6:30 pm. People wishing to provide oral comments will be called upon in the order in which they sign in. Meetings will be held at the following locations:


Public Meetings

November 13th (Tuesday)
Wallace High School
Miners Auditorium
401 River Street
Wallace, Idaho

November 14th (Wednesday)
Canyon Elementary School
E. 27405 Schoolhouse Loop
(1.5 miles east of the Rose Lake exit off I-90)
Cataldo, Idaho

November 15th (Thursday)
Coeur d'Alene Inn
414 W. Appleway
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

November 19th (Monday)
Spokane Public Works Building
(in the Commissioners Hearing Room)
1026 W. Broadway (next to the Spokane
County Courthouse)
Spokane, WA

Citizens may also send written comments (by November 28, 2001) to:

Sheila Eckman, Coeur d’Alene Team Leader
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
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