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> Spokane River Shoreline Area: Barker Road South
Spokane River Metals:
Barker Road South
Looking toward the perimeter of the ravine where the fence will be built
Looking east from near the Barker Road Bridge (ravine on right)
SITE DESCRIPTION
Several cleanup projects are taking place along the Spokane River in
Washington State. These projects are part of Governor Gregoire’s priority to
Reduce Toxic Chemicals in the Environment. The work is being conducted through
the Department of Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program in Spokane.
Contaminants from historic mining practices in Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Basin
washed downstream and settled in soil and sediments along certain beaches of the
Spokane River. These contaminants, known as heavy metals, include lead,
arsenic, zinc, and cadmium. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
conducted studies of mining contaminants in the Coeur d’Alene Basin and began a
wide-spread cleanup known as the Coeur d’Alene Basin Superfund cleanup. As part
of the studies, and additional testing by Ecology, nine shoreline areas in
Washington State also were identified for cleanup work.
Barker Road South is one of the nine beaches identified for improvement.
The site is located north of I-90 via exit 293 and lies immediately south and
east of the Barker Road Bridge in Spokane Valley, Spokane County, Washington.
The proposed fence construction is necessary because:
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Contamination levels exceeded the Washington State standards established for
protection of human health and the environment.
- The new fence limits access
and prevents contact with contaminated sediments along the river banks.
For details about the construction, and to see associated documents, please
click on the links below.
Barker Road South Project Postponed In Response To Public Feedback.
Ecology heard the concerns expressed by local residents and river users related
to the planned Barker Road South Site. The site is located immediately
south and east of the Barker Road Bridge in Spokane Valley, Washington. Concerns
included river access, safety and questions about the proposed fence at the
site. The original schedule for Barker Road South was anticipated to begin
after the Barker Road North bridge construction was completed. Delays in
the bridge project would complicate river access if Ecology’s project continued
at the same time.
Ecology is delaying the Barker Road South project until the bridge work has been
completed and Ecology’s Barker Road North site has been addressed. This
decision will provide proper and safe river access when the projects are
completed. Ecology also plans to re-evaluate the planned fence at Barker
Road South for adequacy in providing the level of protection needed given river
access and usage.
Ecology will notify the public when the Barker Road projects will move forward.
Questions about Barker Road may be directed to the site manager, Dave George at
509/329-3520 or e-mail at cgeo461@ecy.wa.gov.
SITE DOCUMENTS
Related Information
Additional Resources
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SITE INFORMATION
Facility Site ID:
# 615198
Location:
Spokane County
Contact:
Dave George
Site Manager
509\329-3520Carol Bergin, Public
Involvement Coordinator
509\329-3546
Status:
Remedial Action in Progress
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