Murray Road Heavy Metals Site Cleaned Up in 2007

SITE DESCRIPTION

Several restoration 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 sediment 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 restoration.

Murray Road was one of the nine shoreline areas identified for cleanup. The Murray Road area is used for river recreation and is accessed from a trail on East River Road. The site covers nearly 1.5 acres on the north bank of the Spokane River. It is located at river mile 94.3 about 1.7 miles west of the Idaho border.

Contaminants were covered with sand and gravel creating a protective cap to limit human, wildlife, and fish exposure to lead, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc. The footpath from the vehicle pull-out area to the river project area was enhanced.

Cleanup was necessary because:

Contamination levels exceeded site-specific cleanup standards.
It improves the health of the Spokane River.
It provides a safer environment for children, adults and wildlife using the area.

For details about the construction, and to see associated documents, please click on the links below.

Murray Road Heavy Metals Site Cleaned Up in 2007

SITE DESCRIPTION

SITE DOCUMENTS

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SITE INFORMATION