Sediment Contamination Guide:
Frequently Asked Questions
ARE THE FISH SAFE TO EAT? The Washington Department of Health (WDOH) issued a fish consumption advisory for mercury in walleye and bass for Lake Roosevelt. The bass fish advisory for mercury is statewide. The WDOH web site has general advice regarding methods to safely prepare and consume fish. See www.lrf.org/fishadvisory.html for current WDOH advisory. Fish sampling in 2005 will be used by WDOH and area tribes to address health concerns of tribal members and the general public.
WHO HAS MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAKE ROOSEVELT? Management of the lake and its shoreline is a cooperative effort that includes the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (the five partners). In 1990, the five partners signed a cooperative management agreement that guides and specifies areas of responsibility and management. The Forum web site has more specific information about the management responsibilities of each agency.
WHEN WILL HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK STUDIES BE COMPLETE? EPA anticipates that the RI/FS will take a minimum of four years to complete. During the investigation, information and findings will be shared with the public as they are known.
IS TECK COMINCO OR THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATING IN SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION STUDIES AND POSSIBLE CLEANUP ACTIONS? Not currently. In 2003, negotiations between EPA and Teck Cominco to undertake a human and environmental risk assessment were unsuccessful. This led to EPA issuing an order to Cominco to conduct an RI/FS pursuant to U.S. superfund laws. Teck Cominco has disputed EPA’s jurisdiction, resulting in U.S. and Canadian government negotiations to further consider the issue. A lawsuit has also been filed by the Colville Confederated Tribes and the Washington Department of Ecology to force Teck Cominco compliance with the EPA order.
WHO IS PAYING FOR INVESTIGATIONS? EPA is using federal funds to conduct the RI/FS. EPA intends to eventually recover these costs from the parties responsible for contamination. USGS has conducted their studies using internal funding as well as funding from the Colville Confederated Tribes, the Bureau of Reclamation and the National Park Service to conduct their current investigations. The Spokane Tribe of Indians received funding from the Bonneville Power Administration for surface water sampling.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? The easiest way to find more information is via the world wide web. Sites include:
- The Lake Roosevelt Forum: www.lrf.org, click on environment icon.
- The Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/r10earth, click on index A-Z, then click on U for Upper Columbia.
- The United States Geological Survey: http://wa.water.usgs.gov/projects/ roosevelt/publications.htm
- The Washington Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/fish/ or call toll free
1-877-485-7316 - Teck Cominco: www.teckcominco.com/articles/tr-ecorisk/index.htm
All these web sites have links to other sites, including information for people you can
contact directly.