DEEQ says county, FEMA will inspect creek banks and properties for asbestos concerns after flood

Melody, a DEEQ representative, told the Lincoln County meeting that recent flooding could have mobilized mine-related materials onto private property, roadways and creek banks and that DEEQ is coordinating with FEMA on testing and mitigation.

"We're going to be coming in probably in the spring once we can get access to a lot of these places...and doing initial inspections of creek banks where there has been work done in the past where we might have lost a lot of rip wrap," Melody said, describing planned site visits and offers to verify private properties on request. She added the agency will work with FEMA and other consultants to ensure testing and proper mitigation practices.

County officials asked whether any private properties extending into creeks had been made worse; Melody said she did not yet know of private properties with major new exposure but reported trace materials in some yards and confirmed she had observed loss of rip-rap at a previously shielded area on Libby Creek. The presentation repeatedly emphasized coordination with FEMA, the need for engineering review of failed levee sections, and prioritizing locations that pose direct hazards to residents or access routes.

Officials said the inspections will include creek banks, public areas such as pocket parks where walking paths washed out, and privately requested property checks. Melody said monitored creeks such as Rainy Creek showed no problems in her agency’s route checks, but that additional spring access will be required for full assessment. The county advised residents with uprooted trees or exposed soils to request assessments through local channels used for emergency response assessments.