During our Tour of the INL site in April, we Learned about cleanup of the Idaho National Laboratory Site officially starting in 1989 when it was added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List of Superfund sites due to suspected
Idaho Cleanup Project Citizens Advisory Board
October 11, 2023
minute read time
During our Tour of the INL site in April, we Learned about cleanup of the Idaho National Laboratory Site officially starting in 1989 when it was added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List of Superfund sites due to suspected and confirmed historical contaminant releases to the environment.
Along with INL’s principal concern and the community at large in this area is the Site’s impact on the underlying Snake River Plain Aquifer, a sole source aquifer and primary drinking and agricultural water source for Southeast Idaho. The amount of funding spent on environmental cleanup continues at Test Area North, established in the 1950’s to support Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion, also the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center established as the Chemical Processing Plant to recover usable uranium in spent nuclear fuel reactors. I did not know this before becoming a CAB member.
The Security and Safety Protocol at the site is of the highest levels. A lot of new technology and waste treatment standards are at the highest priority, to add the demolition of certain facilities when finished with or have outlived their designated use, the cleanup of each site or remediation is priority.
I totally enjoyed this tour.
It was exciting to meet everyone at the April 27 meeting and get to know the team members. Working together is important for all community members, and I am happy to be a part of our Team.
Ladd Edmo
As a Tribal Councilmember serving the Fort Hall Business Council, Mr. Edmo is involved in congressional, public, Tribal, and state meetings as a policymaker for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, a federally recognized Indian Tribe. During Ladd's tenure on Council, he has served as Sergeant of Arms, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Chairman and council member. While serving on Council Ladd has taken a lead on the Sock-eye Salmon initiative, served as the Vice-Chair of the Idaho Council of Indian affairs and as a mentor with the Idaho National Guard for the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy. Ladd has advocated in front of the Idaho State Senate Affairs Committee for additional protections and action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and was instrumental in bringing STEM educational opportunities to Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High school. Ladd has been on the Idaho Indian Education Committee for the last four years and is the Tribal Council representative for education initiatives. He holds an Associate of Applied Science from Haskell Indian Nations University and is a licensed Journeyman Carpenter for commercial and residential construction with more than 35 years’ experience. Mr. Edmo is a member of the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Union and the Idaho Education Committee. He is interested in economic development issues as well as the Tribal government he represents. Ladd exercises tribal hunting rights, as a hunter and fisherman, has four children and five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters, and resides in Pocatello, Idaho. Mr. Edmo was selected by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Council to represent Tribal interests on the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB) in Idaho.
