EPA Remedial Investigation updates

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Published: Thursday, 21 March 2019 22:13

Over a decade has passed since EPA reached agreement with Teck in 2006 to conduct an Upper Columbia Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS).  Thus far, the efforts remain in the investigative phase to identify the nature and extent of contamination and assess potential risks to human health and the environment. A feasibility study to consider potential cleanup alternatives will follow.

Each newsletter carries an update to highlight recent studies and activities that are underway. To learn about the history of the entire RI/FS and what’s been learned, visit our Public Guides at www.lrf.org/environment. A new Public Guide is scheduled to be released this June.

Northern Pike Sampling

In response to increased numbers of Northern Pike catch and consumption that’s also being incentivized by the creation of a bounty to help rid the system of this invasive predator, Lake Roosevelt fisheries co-managers worked with EPA and Teck American Incorporated (TAI) to sample Northern Pike for mercury and other metals. Sampling was completed in July 2018 and results are presented in the draft data summary report provided to EPA in December 2018. EPA provided the data to the Washington Department of Health in December 2018 for evaluation.

Mussel and Crayfish Sampling

The main purpose of this sampling is to estimate exposure from human consumption and ecological risks of chemicals concentrating in tissues of fresh-water mussel and crayfish. In the spring and fall of 2016, samples were collected at various depths throughout the river/lake system. A data summary report was approved by EPA in March 2018 and is posted on the www.ucr-rifs.com web site. EPA will integrate the data summary report into their human health risk assessment. EPA provided the data to Washington Department of Health in 2018 for evaluation to establish safe consumption advisories.

Plant Tissue Sampling

The 2014 and 2016 Residential Soil Sampling program, residential yard soil removal actions, and the 2014 Upland Soil Sampling results further documented elevated levels of metals in soils sampled in these study areas. In addition, the Tribal Consumption and Resource Use Survey established the uses of plants harvested from areas where metals are elevated. Residents of the Colville Reservation consume, and otherwise utilize, upland, wetland and aquatic plants which may be contaminated with heavy metals.

Exposure to these metals in plant tissue through consumption or use, however, is unknown. As a result, EPA determined that data for the concentration of metals in berries, nuts, roots, and leaves from a variety of plants was needed for the Upper Columbia River human health risk assessment. Reconnaissance in focused locations of the study area occurred in August 2017 to identify the type and availability of plants for sampling. In 2018, the sampling plan was approved and three rounds of sampling occurred. Samples were analyzed and the draft data summary report was provided to EPA in January 2019 for review.

Residential Soil Sampling

In addition to sampling and residential soil cleanup activities that took place in 2014-2015, another round of soil sampling occurred in 2016. Sampling occurred at some properties within the original boundary from 2014 and extended through the river valley as far south as China Bend. 144 residential properties were sampled. Results were sent to landowners in April 2017. Using current interim cleanup thresholds, this resulted in 4 additional properties being cleaned up, bringing the total number of properties receiving cleanup since 2014 to 17. Cleanup occurred as part of  voluntary agreements between EPA and TAI for TAI to fund and conduct cleanup under EPA oversight.