Celebrate or Mourn Letter to the Editor written by Darlene SchanfaldPublished: In 2000, Ecology wanted control of the Rayonier Pulp Mill-Port Angeles Harbor cleanup of seven decades of hazardous wastes, agreeing to remove these in seven years. In June, WA State Department of Ecology released its cleanup-plan approval. Solution: cover up the contaminants; leave them… Continue reading Contaminate Cover-up
Author: Northwest Toxic Communities Coalition
The AI we want without the data centers we don’t: It’s possible.
Read this forward-thinking opinion piece by Suraj Mirpuri on The Seattle Times website, “The AI we want without the data centers we don’t: It’s possible.” Originally published on August 26, 2026.
Bunkerhill Superfund Site Update: Summer 2026
53 years since the Bunkerhill Mine fire caused the largest number of lead poisoning cases in US history, the site of this industrial tragedy remains contaminated. Lead does not biodegrade. It remains in the soil along waterways. It is estimated that the Coeur d’Alene River delivers 200 tons of lead to Lake Coeur d’Alene annually.… Continue reading Bunkerhill Superfund Site Update: Summer 2026
Several agricultural, data center issues began in Quincy
“More than three decades after heavy metals in fertilizers were first investigated there, the Central Washington city of Quincy remains a harbinger of agriculture and other trends throughout the region…” Read the entire article on the Yakima Herald-Republic website and learn more about air quality, fertilizer regulations, and data centers in the Central Washington region.
Water: Reuse, Overuse and Abuse
NWTCC SummitSaturday, May 309 AM – 1 PM PDT Sponsored by Northwest Toxic Communities Coalition, this Summit included three presentations. The speakers are directly below and a YouTube recording of the webinar is embedded at the bottom of this post. Speakers Big Ag: Pollution & Politics Speaker: Charlie Tebbutt, Attorney Charlie will discuss the efforts… Continue reading Water: Reuse, Overuse and Abuse
Bunker Hill Smelting Complex Superfund Site
On February 2, 2026, The Daily Yonder, an online news outlet dedicated to telling the stories of rural people, published a news story about the Bunker Hill Smelting Complex, a superfund site. As part of the article, author Sarah Melotte interviewed Barbara Miller, environmental activist and founder of the Silver Valley Community Resource Center (SVCRC).… Continue reading Bunker Hill Smelting Complex Superfund Site
Water Down: How Industry is Impacting Water Supplies Worldwide
Join Northwest Toxic Communities Coalition’s Virtual Summit held May 10, 2024 from 9 AM – 12:30 PM. Learn how communities can defend their water from industry exploitation and case studies from three expert presenters. Opportunities for questions and answers will be available. Watch a video recording of the webinar The Virtual Summit was held on… Continue reading Water Down: How Industry is Impacting Water Supplies Worldwide
NW Toxic Communities Member Named Woman of the Year
Congratulations to Barbara Miller, Director of SVCRC NW Toxic Communities member, environmental activist, and founder of the Silver Valley Community Resource Center (SVCRC), Barbara Miller, was declared Inland Northwest Woman of the Year for 2024 by The Spokesman Review, a regional newspaper based in Spokane. Miller has spent decades advocating for the Silver Valley, Idaho… Continue reading NW Toxic Communities Member Named Woman of the Year
Pediatric Lead Exposure Conference Update
Summary of June 21, 2024 Lead Health Conference The Silver Valley Community Resource Center completes Pediatric Lead Exposure Diagnosis, Treatment conference at Bunker Hill Superfund site. SVCRC began in January after discovery of the UW Center for Environmental Equity created with EPA funding for implementing best practices to reduce dangerous pollution in overburdened, vulnerable communities… Continue reading Pediatric Lead Exposure Conference Update
Seismic Tremors and Toxins Summit
Held online and in-person at the University of Washington on April 13, 2024, the annual NW Toxic Communities summit featured four prominent speakers and covered what will happen in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake. Featured Speakers Watch a video recording of the webinar