Associated Press - July 26, 2009 4:54 PM ET

POST FALLS, Idaho (AP) - The mayor of Post Falls is challenging plans to use 20 acres near the Coeur d'Alene River as a site for disposal of soil contaminated with waste from historic mining in the Silver Valley of northern Idaho.

Mayor Clay Larkin says concerns about the environment and public health should prevent use of the site called East Mission Flats. It lies 3,000 feet from the Coeur d'Alene River, near Cataldo.

Larkin says putting toxic material close to water disturbs him.

Terry Harwood heads the Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission. He says concerns about East Mission Flats are unfounded.

Construction to prepare the site for receiving contaminated soil is incomplete. Dumping also is on hold because of an Inspector General request, which seeks a third-party finding that toxins will not seep underground.

Information from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com

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