Salt Chuck Mine on Alaska’s Prince of Wales Island Suggested for Federal Cleanup List

(Seattle, Washington - September 23, 2009) Today, the Salt Chuck Mine, located on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska's Tongass National Forest, was suggested for addition to the E.P.A.'s (EPA) "National Priorities List" of the most contaminated sites in the nation. If listed as proposed, the location will 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.

"Salt Chuck Mine is a prime candidate for addition to the National Priorities List," said Dan Opalski, EPA's acting Deputy Regional Administrator in Seattle. "We believe that protecting both Kasaan tribal community health and the Prince of Wales Island environment will require Superfund's comprehensive cleanup toolbox."

Public comments will be accepted for 60 days. The Federal Register Notice, with instructions on how to review on the suggested Salt Chuck Mine site, is accessible at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/current.htm

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