Southeast mine proposed for federal cleanup list

JUNEAU - The Salt Chuck Mine on Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest was proposed Thursday for addition to the EPA's national priorities list of the most contaminated sites in the nation.

If listed as proposed, the site would be cleaned up under the Superfund program.

Heavy metals from Salt Chuck Mine tailings are impacting water quality and sediments in Lake Ellen Creek and Kasaan Bay. The contamination affects both salmon and shellfish in areas of Kasaan Bay known as important commercial and subsistence fisheries, the EPA said.

"We believe that protecting both Kasaan tribal community health and the Prince of Wales Island environment will require Superfund's comprehensive cleanup toolbox," said Dan Opalski, EPA's acting Deputy Regional Administrator in Seattle.

Public comments will be accepted for 60 days. The Federal Register Notice, with instructions on how to comment on the proposed Salt Chuck Mine site, is available at www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/current.