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Upper Columbia River
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is studying hazardous waste contamination in the Columbia River from the U.S./Canada border to the Grand Coulee Dam and surrounding upland areas. The study is called a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS).
Past studies by federal and state agencies have shown increased levels of hazardous waste contamination in Upper Columbia River sediments, including heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and zinc, and other contaminants like dioxins and furans.
In August 1999, the Colville Confederated Tribes petitioned EPA to conduct an assessment of environmental contamination in the Upper Columbia River. The petition expressed concerns about risks to people’s health and the environment from contamination in the river. | |
In 2001, EPA collected samples of river sediment to learn more about the types and amounts of pollution that exists. The results showed that contamination is present in the lake and river sediments, and that a more detailed investigation is needed to evaluate possible risks to human health and the environment.
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[ Superfund | FOIA | Records Center ]
Point of contact: Jeanne O'Dell
E-Mail: odell.jeanne@epa.gov
Phone Number: 1-800-424-4372, extension 6919
Last Updated: 06/16/2008
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