CE 547 Arc GIS hydrology final project

Bunker Hill Superfund site of the silver Valley in Idaho

Maps ------------------------------------------ Report

Background:  After 56 years of operation, the Bunker Hill smelter closed its doors in 1982.  In 1983, 21 square miles of flood plain along the river near the smelter were designated as a superfund site.  This 21 square mile area was designated as           “the box.”  Since being declared a superfund site, more than $906 million has been spent in clean up.  In 2002 the area of the site was expanded to the three surrounding watersheds around the smelter in area known as “the Basin.”  In 2007 the area again grew to encompass the shores of the Spokane River in Washington up to the East end of Roosevelt Reservoir.

  These expansions of the site perimeter come about for two reasons.  The first reason is due to an increase in recreational activity and human exposure to the shorelines of the Spokane River.  The second is to prevent more contaminated soil from being brought in by flash flooding and re-depositing in the already cleaned up areas. 

         Despite the obvious improvement from the cleanup its continuation and expansion is strongly fought against by many living in the silver valley.  Not only did the superfund cause the mining companies to go bankrupt but it is also blamed for the downfall in the regions economy.  People against the superfund’s expansion say the EPA has over exaggerated health risks and prevented any chance of growth for the town’s populations. 

Problem:  Is the continual expansion of the superfund site necessary.  Will flash flooding destroy years of work and clean up by re-depositing lead contaminated soil brought in from areas outside the box?

Facts

Between 1965 and 1981 more than 6 million pounds of lead were released into the air by the smelter. (30 tons per sq. mile.)

About 20 miles of streams are unable to sustain a reproducing fish population.

About 10 miles of tributaries have virtually no aquatic life.

As of 2002 $906 million dollars spent on cleanup efforts

An estimated 1000 children were negatively affected by the smelter, 38 of which were killed.

Timeline History