As the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release.
SEATTLE—Environmental
and community groups across the state celebrated today as the EPA ordered
mining giant Teck Cominco to move forward with necessary studies of its heavy
metal contamination in the Upper Columbia.
"The EPA's decision to hold Teck Cominco fully accountable is the right
thing for Washington, and a sure victory for the local communities, tribes
and other Washingtonians who care about the health of the Columbia,"
said David Heflick of the Kettle Range Conservation Group.
For almost 100 years, Teck Cominco dumped untreated slag and smelting waste
directly into the Columbia from its lead/zinc smelter in Trail, B.C. The contaminants
flowed down the river and into Washington State.
The EPA's action comes after months of negotiations with the company. Those
negotiations broke down in late November when Teck Cominco refused to agree
to the basic environmental standards required of every other company under
U.S. law. Teck Cominco objected to the application of U.S. laws on the grounds
that the polluting facility is located in Canada, just six miles north of
the U.S. border.
"Teck Cominco knowingly sent its toxic waste down onto Washington's shores,"
said Mo McBroom, staff attorney for the Washington Public Interest Research
Group."There is no logic under the letter or spirit of our environmental
laws to give the company special treatment, simply because their smelter is
located in Canada. The harm has occurred here, and American law must govern
the clean up."
The EPA's Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) requires Teck Cominco to conduct
a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. This study involves rigorous
analysis to evaluate contamination at the site, assess risks, and evaluate
cleanup alternatives. If Teck Cominco refuses to comply, the EPA can enforce
the Order in court.
Last October, the EPA's northwest office warned Teck Cominco that it would
move forward with the UAO if the company did not voluntarily agree to perform
the required studies. Since then, environmentalists have feared that Teck
Cominco would use its substantial financial and political clout to convince
the EPA to back down. EPA's action today has partially alleviated those concerns.
"The mining industry
is infamous for its failure to clean up after itself," charged McBroom.
"We can only hope that EPA headquarters in D.C. will continue to support
the regional office in its attempts to hold Teck Cominco accountable."
