Currently, DEQ and EPA are talking to the business owners and reviewing the work plan. According to the two agencies, Grace's proposed relocation plans are inadequate. Second, in the work plan, Grace proposes to clean and not demolish the old buildings at the Export Plant. Both EPA and DEQ feel this is not possible, and will create long-term problems for future users of the buildings. EPA told Grace that the building must be torn down and the material hauled to the mine site for disposal.
Excavation is scheduled to begin next month.
Proposed work outlined in the EPA s work plan states that all buildings on the 21-acre property will be demolished and up to 18 inches of contaminated soil scraped away, followed by complete restoration of the property. EPA wants to collapse the tunnels under the slab, and bury the slab with several feet of backfill. Historically, Native Americans would come from the Yaak and other surrounding mountains and settle along the banks of the river on this property. It is believed that an ancient Native American burial ground exists on the site. It is believed a historical cowboy fur trading post existed on the property.