Future of Burke Canyon

Demolition…

The future of the Canyon is unknown, there are governmental agencies working to tear down the remaining mining structures in all of the cities. However there is still the Hecla Mine, formerly known as the Star Mine, up the valley. Although, no longer in production it is under private ownership; providing exemption from the demolition.

Environmental Reconstruction… 

The Canyon Creek (Burke) Basin is part of the Coeur d’Alene Basin Cleanup and is also known as the Bunker Hill Mining & Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the scope of this project.

EPA cleanup investigations will begin soon in the Canyon Creek Basin, just outside of Wallace. These investigations will help guide cleanup design so that sources of heavy metals from historical mine and mill sites can be removed. These cleanup studies will help them understand the nature and extent of contamination at these locations, so they can design cleanups that protect people’s health and the environment.

Over the years, they’ve been removing metals-contaminated materials from old mine and mill sites. This source control work prevents the contaminants from washing downstream, improving water quality and reducing exposures for people and wildlife. In June 2021, work crews will start investigations at seven new projects: Gem Complex, Standard Mammoth Reach, Ajax No. 3, Canyon Creek Garbage Dump, Marsh Mine, and O’Neill Gulch Unnamed Rock Dump. Crews will drill borings and monitoring wells, dig test pits, and collect soil, surface water, and groundwater samples. EPA expects this summer’s work will wrap up in September.

Additionally, a number of other cleanup investigations that began in past seasons will continue this year. These include Tamarack Mine No. 7, Black Bear Fraction/Flynn Mine, and Hecla Star Complex. If you’d like to learn more about the Coeur d’Alene Basin Cleanup, please visit the Coeur d’Alene Basin Facebook page.