GLICKMAN ORDERS CLEAN UP OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SITE IN WASHINGTON STATE

                                             Release No.0342.97
                                                               
                                    Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                          tom.amontree@usda.gov
                                     Maria Bynum (202) 720-5192
                                           maria.bynum@usda.gov

GLICKMAN ORDERS CLEAN UP OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SITE IN WASHINGTON STATE

     WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced that Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) will clean up an area on
the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest containing hazardous mine waste. 
ARCO, the State of Washington, and the Environmental Protection Agency are
working cooperatively with USDA to formulate cleanup plans.

     "This kind of cooperation between the federal government, state
government, and industry is an excellent example of working together for the
good of the environment and the American people," said Glickman.

     The Cashman Mill Site, located about three miles west of Skykomish,
Washington, contains 300 tons of flue dust containing hazardous levels of 
arsenic, copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, and antimony.  The immediate risk to
human health and animals from breathing the dust, or from contaminants
eroding into nearby streams or leaching into the groundwater, will be
alleviated when ARCO excavates the materials and removes them to an approved
disposal facility.

     Glickman signed the first unilateral order ordering the cleanup under
Executive Order 13016, which was signed by President Clinton in August 1996. 
Prior to this executive order only the EPA and the Coast Guard had the
authority to issue unilateral orders.

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