We're into the 3rd week of the cross-country cycling adventure! I can hardly believe that we've pedaled all the way to Bozeman, MT on our own energy— not a drop of petrol or electricity, just good old fashioned people power. The country we've passed through at this point has blown my mind. Never did I think I'd say that I love the rolling hills of wheat in Eastern Washington, but seated on a bike going at max 30mph I've gained a whole new appreciation for the farm country of our state's east side. Along highway 2 in Washington we also rode through the Coulee Dam area, a magnificent stretch of canyons and mineral lakes. The route provided ample time for deep thought as my eyes were mesmerized by the various rock formations and canyon walls.
Crossing over into Idaho on the Centennial Trail out of Spokane, we spent the afternoon climbing 4th of July Pass and reveling in the evergreens that towered above and the endless stretches of mountain streams at our feet. The trail took us through some of the most beautiful terrain we've crossed yet. However, what appeared to be the untouched nature of glades of pine trees and clear mountain lakes was deceptively pristine. Coming into Kellog, ID the trail was littered with signs reading "Don't leave the trail" and other warnings--the area, as we later found out, is polluted with lead and other toxins.
Kellog and the surrounding Silver Valley are situated in the midst of an old silver mining community. The mines have been in operation for over 100 years and have left serious amounts of lead and other toxins in the local watershed and soil, resulting in the government classificaion as the largest superfund site in the nation.
In Kellog, we were warmly welcomed by the Silver Valley People's Action Coaltion, where we were staying at the local United Steelworkers Hall. Debra, our host, and several members of the coalition, spent the evening describing to us the struggles the community has been undergoing to get the silver mining industry to clean up the valley. The community has been severely touched by the toxins. Over five generations of families in Silver Valley have been lead poisoned due to the mining activities--some of the children tested for lead poisoning have the highest levels ever recorded. Lead poisoning leads to neurological damage and other health issues. A dreadfully present fact in a community that has the largest special ed. and ADD/ADHD populations in its schools in the state of Idaho.
Barbara explained to us that the effort to get EPA funding into Silver Valley to sponsor clean-up has been an extremely political battle. The local paper is owned by a silver mine and has been key in distributing misinformation about the EPA clean-up efforts and the effects of lead poisoning. Past advertisements have linked clean-up to higher taxes forced upon the mines leading to job loss as the mines close up and leave the town. Editorials have urged townspeople to take up arms and fend off any federal EPA agents that attempt to trespass on their land. Currently, the mining industry has all but dried up in Kellog, leaving it an economically depressed and environmentally polluted shell of its former self, but many here still believe that the mining industry will revive itself and so are against any clean-up efforts.
These are the kind of issues that we are encountering in each community that we visit on our trip. We have had the opportunity to learn first-hand the challenges and solutions that people are facing in their communities and how they are organizing to find solutions.
Love and smiles, Julia