[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 112 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 RESTORATION OF THE COEUR D'ALENE BASIN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Brown of Florida). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Idaho [Mr. LaRocco] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LaROCCO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address an issue of vital 
importance to me, to Idaho, and the State of Washington, the 
restoration of the Coeur d'Alene Basin.
  The Coeur d'Alene Basin covers approximately 3,700 square miles in 
north Idaho, including Lake Coeur d'Alene, the Coeur d'Alene River, the 
St. Joe River, St. Maries River, the Spokane River, and various 
tributaries. The basin forms the foundation of the region's economy, 
drinking water supply, and natural habitat.
  The Coeur d'Alene Basin attracts an estimated 800,000 visitors 
annually. It provides 30 percent of the water to the region's sole-
source aquifer, which serves over 400,000 residents in north Idaho and 
eastern Washington. The basin provides habitat for migratory bird 
populations--including tundra swan and wood ducks--as well as 
endangered, threatened or candidate species, such as bald eagle and the 
bull trout.
  In the 1800's silver was discovered on the south fork of the Coeur 
d'Alene River Valley which was the beginning of the Coeur d'Alene 
mining district known as the ``Silver Valley.'' In 1886, the first mill 
was put into operation at the Bunker Hill mining complex. By 1891 
mining was flourishing.
  Over a period of 100 years the mines of the Silver Valley produced 
nearly 45 percent of the Nation's silver, 11 percent of its lead, and 9 
percent of its zinc. However, they also produced a tremendous quantity 
of heavy metal-contaminated wastes--an estimated 72 million tons of 
tailings were discharged into the Coeur d'Alene River.
  I view restoration of the basin as one of the highest priorities for 
the future of north Idaho. I have been working in cooperation with the 
State of Idaho, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the mining industry and local 
citizens to devise a comprehensive plan for restoring the basin.
  With the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological 
Survey, and the Bureau of Land Management, I have drafted a Coeur 
d'Alene Basin restoration bill as an amendment to the Clean Water Act. 
The State and the tribe have also drafted a legislative proposal.
  Today I will be introducing both restoration bills.
  At the request of the tribe and the State, I am introducing The Coeur 
d'Alene Basin and Spokane River Restoration Act of 1994, a bill that 
would establish a nonprofit corporation, the Coeur d'Alene Basin 
Restoration Corp., to provide for the conservation, remediation, and 
restoration of the Coeur d'Alene Basin and Spokane River watersheds. 
The corporation would serve to streamline restoration efforts, assure 
local control and public input, and reduce administrative costs.
  I am also introducing The Coeur d'Alene Basin Restoration Act of 
1994. Written as an amendment to the Clean Water Act, this bill would 
convene a Coeur d'Alene Basin Management Conference to develop a 
comprehensive pollution prevention, control, and restoration plan for 
the Coeur d'Alene Basin. In addition, the bill includes measures to 
assure that efforts by Federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Bureau of Land 
Management, are coordinated as part of a comprehensive restoration 
plan.
  The introduction of these bills signifies a new cooperative effort to 
restore the Coeur d'Alene Basin. The Environmental Protection Agency 
has pledged its full support for a cooperative restoration effort, and 
it has moved a full-time EPA staff person to Coeur d'Alene. The State 
of Idaho, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, mining company officials, and 
community leaders have begun earnest discussions on a comprehensive 
restoration effort.
  I want to stress that both bills have been drafted from the ground up 
and public involvement will remain a focal point as they move through 
the legislative process.
  Mr. Speaker, Idahoans elected me to lead and to solve problems. I 
have pledged to be a strong voice in Congress and will continue to work 
collectively with the tribe, the mining industry, the State of Idaho 
and local citizens to solve this difficult problem.
  I want to add in closing, Madam Speaker, that Speaker Foley joins me 
in trying to resolve the issues of the Coeur d'Alene Basin and I 
welcome his support in these endeavors.

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