Bunker Hill/Coeur d'Alene Basin Operable Unit 3

Site Description

The Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Site in northern Idaho and northeastern Washington is divided into three Operable Units (OUs), or cleanup projects. OU 3, called the Basin, runs along the Coeur d'Alene River, through Lake Coeur d'Alene, and into the Spokane River. Mining and lead smelting from the late 1800s to the 1970s contaminated the soil, groundwater, air, and the river system with lead, arsenic, zinc, and cadmium. Contaminated portions of the rivers cannot support healthy aquatic life. Contaminated wetlands are causing waterfowl to die. Since the 1970s, children in the vicinity registered dangerously high levels of lead in their blood. About 242,000 people live in the vicinity of the Basin, which affects numerous communities, two states, and the lands of the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane Tribes.

Priority is being given to human health cleanups in community and recreation areas. Long-term cleanup is planned for mine and mill source areas in the Upper Basin, and the rivers, flood plains, lakes, and wetlands in the Coeur d Alene Basin downstream of the mining areas. No Superfund cleanup actions currently are planned for Lake Coeur d'Alene or the Spokane River in Idaho.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

• Since 1997, EPA has worked with the State of Idaho to address the greatest human health risks through targeted cleanup of residential properties occupied by young children or pregnant women. Contaminated soil has been removed from more than 90 residential yards, seven schools and day care centers, and six recreational areas. EPA has provided water treatment, municipal hook-up, or bottled water to about 28 families. The residential yard cleanups represent about ten percent of the total number of yards with severe lead contamination.
• EPA published its cleanup plan for the project in September 2002. With EPA funding, cleanup of residential, community, and recreational areas in Idaho will begin in summer 2003. EPA and the State of Idaho will continue to prioritize the cleanup of properties occupied by children and pregnant women. EPA expects that 100-200 properties and two river recreation areas will be cleaned up this year.
• EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human health or the environment throughout the long-term cleanup work.

Current Funding Status

• Since 1987, EPA has spent approximately $11 million for emergency response work.
• In Fiscal Year 2003, EPA will provide $6.4 million in construction funds and $2.0 million in settlement funds to conduct work on OU 3.

For more information on the site, please visit the Region 10 Bunker Hill website.

Key Accomplishments