Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 26, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Contacts: Michael Marchand, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Appoints Member to the Coeur d’Alene Basin Commission

Gov. Gary Locke today appointed environmental legal expert James McCurdy to Idaho’s Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, commonly known as the Coeur d’Alene Basin Commission.

The commission, created by the Idaho Legislature, will oversee the 30-year Superfund cleanup of mine waste in the Coeur d’Alene Basin. This cleanup has implications for the water quality of Washington’s Spokane River and the economy of the region. Washington has one seat on the seven-member commission.

McCurdy, a professor at Gonzaga University School of Law, specializes in natural resources law, Indian law and sports law, and for 19 years has taught courses on environmental negotiation and mediation. McCurdy has also served as mediator and legal counsel for the Sioux Tribe and is currently writing a book on environmental dispute resolution.

“Jim’s legal expertise on environmental, land use and natural resource issues and his skill as a facilitator and mediator are uniquely suited for this position,” Locke said. “I know Jim will do a superb job representing our state in this important role.”

Locke also announced he will work with the Washington state Department of Ecology to establish a Spokane-area advisory committee designed to inform and support McCurdy. The advisory committee will comprise members from the Spokane public and private sectors, who will represent the region’s environmental and economic interests relating to the Superfund cleanup effort.

“The Superfund cleanup in Idaho has many implications for the Spokane area, and it is important that our representative on the cleanup commission has the benefit of the insight, guidance and counsel that the advisory committee will provide,” said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons.

McCurdy will also work with other natural resource agencies to ensure all interests from Washington state are represented.

McCurdy, a Montana native, earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Houston and law degree at the University of Texas School of Law.

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