EPA cleared to clean up E. Idaho chemical containers

Federal environmental regulators have clearance to begin removing thousands of buckets and drums containing hazardous chemicals from a property in eastern Idaho.

The Environmental Protection Agency began investigating the property last week. On July 19, the agency obtained a warrant authorizing the removal of as many as 2,600 containers officials say were not properly stored.

So far, the agency has not declared if any of the containers found on property owned by Max Spatig were leaking.

But state and local environmental officials are concerned because containers were close to water wells and an irrigation canal.

Spatig says the buckets and drums at his site contain epoxies and urethanes for finishing floors. He also denies allegations any chemicals had leaked into the ground.