As the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release.
Metaline Falls, Washington—Despite
the availability of mining technologies that better protect human health and
clean water, the Department of Ecology issued a permit to Teck Cominco mining
company, allowing it to dump toxic pollutants harmful to human health and clean
water directly into the Pend Oreille River in northeastern Washington state.
"The Department of
Ecology has had five years to come up with a permit that protects the Pend Oreille
River and the health of those who use and enjoy it," said MO McBroom, Washington
Public Interest Research Group. "Local citizens have been involved in good
faith discussions with Teck Cominco as to how the mine can be operated in a
manner that complies with the Clean Water Act, but Ecology has completely failed
to come up with a permit that protects human health, and the value of clean
water in Washington state."
Today, Washington Public
Interest Research Group, Okanogan Highlands Alliance and the Lands Council filed
a notice of appeal of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit
that the Department of Ecology issued to Teck Cominco, granting it the right
to discharge harmful toxics such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic into
the Pend Oreille River. Although state law mandates the company to study and
implement reasonable technologies to reduce these toxic discharges, Ecology
has relied on outdated studies-in spite of Teck Cominco's willingness to research
and utilize cutting edge technologies that are more protective of human health
and the Pend Oreille River ecosystem.
"This is not about
Teck Cominco mining company," said Mike Petersen, The Lands Council. "It's
about holding the Department of Ecology accountable and protecting the health
of ordinary people and our natural heritage. The technology exists to clean
up the toxic mine waste that Teck Cominco is currently dumping into the Pend
Oreille River," added Petersen. "Instead of allowing the status-quo
to continue, the Department of Ecology should do its job and insist that the
company do what it can to stop putting toxic chemicals into the Pend Oreille
River."
Teck Cominco is well known
in the Pacific Northwest for polluting the Columbia River for over one hundred
years. Between 1994 and 1997, the company's lead smelter dumped into the Columbia
more arsenic, cadmium and lead than the cumulative total discharge of these
metals to all US waters from all US sources combined. The Columbia is already
so polluted from Teck Cominco's operations that it is being considered for Superfund
designation, and taxpayers may have to open their wallets to spend millions
on a clean up.
Despite this history, the
Department of Ecology issued a permit to Teck Cominco for the Pend Oreille Mine,
which is expected to produce zinc and lead that will be delivered in 23,000
truckloads to the Trial Smelter in British Columbia, an operation that became
famous for discharging toxic waste that accumulates in Lake Roosevelt. The chemicals
used to extract the lead and zinc at the Pend Oreille Mine include sodium cyanide,
xanthates, lime, copper sulfate and methyl isobutyl, all harmful to human health
and the environment.
"The health hazards
of lead on the human body are well documented," said Dave Kliegman with
Okanogan Highlands Alliance. "It is hard to believe that Ecology did not
to require a treatment that reduces the amount of lead that escapes into the
environment when the technology for doing so already exists."
"The Department of
Ecology has completely abdicated their responsibility to prevent pollution and
to preserve and enhance Washington's waters," according to Andrea Rodgers,
an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center, representing the three
appealing parties. "Ecology has the regulatory tools it needs to come up
with an effective permit, but they have been unable and unwilling to do what
it takes to ensure that our waters are clean and safe."
The Pend Oreille Mine is
an underground lead and zinc mine located approximately two miles north of Metaline
Falls on the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington state. The Pend Oreille
River is designated as a Class A (excellent) river under Washington state water
quality standards. The mine began operating in 1952 but ceased in 1977, with
intermittent periods of inactivity through that time. For fifteen years, from
1952 to 1967, tailings from the mining operation were discharged directly into
the Pend Oreille River.
The notice of appeal filed
today alleges that the Department of Ecology failed to comply with the Clean
Water Act. Teck Cominco's previous permit expired and the company applied for
a new one in January 1999.
The way of life and the
natural environment of the West are a unique part of America's heritage. At
the nonprofit Western Environmental Law Center we believe this heritage is worth
fighting for. We use the tools of law to help protect and restore the environment,
and to serve as an advocate for people, wildlife and communities throughout
the West.
