The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added the Upper Columbia River Site in northeast Washington to the Superfund National Priorities List, the list of sites throughout the United States and its territories where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment.
EPA has determined that soils within the site are contaminated with lead and arsenic and pose an unacceptable risk to residents at affected properties, particularly to children and women of childbearing age. Additionally, sediments in the river are contaminated with metals, including zinc, copper, cadmium, selenium, lead and mercury, that pose a risk to fish, wildlife, birds, and other organisms that live in and along the river.
The primary source of contamination at the site is the Teck Metals smelting facility in Trail, British Columbia, approximately 10 river miles upstream of the international boundary. The former Le Roi smelter in Northport, Washington, also contributed contamination.
Following the March 5, 2024, proposed listing, the agency opened a 60-day public comment period which closed May 6, 2024. EPA’s response to public comments will be published with the notice finalizing the addition of the Upper Columbia River Site to the National Priorities List and may be found online at regulations.gov.
