Upper Columbia River Northeast Washington

1. Upper Columbia River Northeast Washington EPA Site Assessment activities An overview

2. Description of the area How EPA became involved Site Assessment activities and Tribal involvement

3. Description of the area The Columbia River flows from British Columbia, south through Washington State

4. Description of the area In the late 1930s, construction of Grand Coulee Dam began and Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake (�Lake Roosevelt�) was formed. The area of concern identified in the Preliminary Assessment Petition submitted by the Colville Confederated Tribes to EPA extends from the border to Grand Coulee Dam, roughly 150 river miles. US-Canada border to the Grand Coulee Dam, roughly 150 river miles.

5. South of the US-Canada border Numerous inactive, active and abandoned mines and mills Lake Roosevelt reservoir and National Recreational Area Reservation lands Local communities

6. Colville Confederated Tribes In 1872, 12 different Tribes consolidated and are currently known as The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

7. Colville Confederated Tribes In 1892, the �North Half� was ceded to settlers The Reservation borders the River roughly 93 miles

8. Spokane Tribe The Spokane Indian Reservation borders the River to the east roughly 8 miles

9. How EPA became involved Concerned about the potential impacts of contamination in the Upper Columbia River to human health and the environment, the Colville Confederated Tribes petitioned EPA to assess and investigate potential contaminant sources, both in the U.S. and in Canada. The Spokane Tribe share these concerns and became party to the Petition

10. Tribal concerns Potential effects of contaminants on human health, fish, plants, wildlife, air and water quality.

11. Beach area near Northport, WA

12. Tribal concerns Potential impacts to human health from potentially contaminated exposed sediment that becomes airborne during periods of high wind

13. Site Assessment activities and Tribal Involvement Cooperative Agreements with the Tribes to provide funding to support tribal involvement in EPA�s CERCLA activities Memorandum of Agreements to provide a mechanism for communication and coordination between EPA and the Tribes Government to Government consultation meetings

14. EPA Expanded Site Inspection sediment sampling along the River and its tributaries was conducted in May and June of 2001 sampling began near Inchelium, WA and continued northward to the US-Canada border, roughly 70 river miles

15. EPA Expanded Site Inspection Approx. 90 mines and mills have been identified for reconnaissance visits within the Upper Columbia River drainage area between Inchelium and the border. Sampling at the mines and mills is being conducted, as determined necessary. Reconnaissance visits at 78 mines and mills were conducted in June 2001. Visits to the remaining mines and mills is taking place week of September 9, 2001.

16. Information and data gathered as part of this effort will help EPA determine if some portion or portions of the Upper Columbia River should be prioritized for further detailed investigations