EPA Proposes Adding the Upper Columbia River to the National Priorities List

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Published: Wednesday, 03 July 2024 17:10

In March, EPA proposed listing the Upper Columbia River (UCR) as a Superfund site on the National Priorities List (NPL).

Per EPA, “NPL sites are areas where there are known releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Upland soils are contaminated with lead, arsenic, zinc, cadmium and other metals. Sediments in the river are contaminated with slag and metals, including lead, zinc, cadmium, copper, and mercury. There is a significant quantity of slag remaining in the river system. Levels of metals found in the Columbia River surface water are below drinking water standards.”

Click here for EPA news release. Click here for one page EPA summary of the proposed listing.

The site boundaries are not determined as part of a listing. EPA would establish boundaries after all investigative work is completed and there is a full understanding of where contamination is and the risk it poses to human health and the environment. The boundaries of a site would then be documented in a Record of Decision which also identifies the cleanup actions necessary to address the contamination. ​

February 2024 and October 2023 Forum articles provide EPA’s rationale for proposing the listing, Washington State and tribal support, and counties opposed. The Forum’s 2020 Public Guide summarizes EPA’s Human Health Risk Assessment, including the public being able to safely recreate on Lake Roosevelt and the Upper Columbia River.

EPA accepted comments on the proposed listing from March 7 through May 6, 2024.

EPA will consider all comments submitted, then publish a response to the comments before determining whether to add the UCR to the National Priorities List.