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Site 21: Waadah IslandSite History and Background
Waadah Island is located 0.35 mile north of Baada Point in Neah Bay. The island, which is approximately 33 acres in area and rises as much as 80 feet above msl, is a rock mass covered with vegetation that includes coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs. Prior to government occupation of the island, the Makah Tribe used Waadah Island for habitation and fishing. Tribal island residents cleared land for the cultivation of potatoes and other crops. Tribal fisherman maintained stone dikes, which served as tidal impounding traps to harvest fish, at various places around the island (Ridolfi, 2003e). The island is well-known for the rich diversity of marine life found on the reefs at its base and is a popular sport-diving location.
Waadah Island was not included by name in the Treaty of 1855. The USCG purchased the island in the 1860s and maintained various facilities there, starting with the construction of a lifeboat station on the northern portion of the island in 1877 (later moved to Baada Point on the mainland in 1910). In 1977, Waadah Island (along with Tatoosh Island) was returned to the Tribe as part of the settlement of a claim filed with the Indian Claims Commission by the Tribe; the claim was for lands ceded by the Tribe under the 1855 Treaty and for deprivation of fishing and hunting rights guaranteed under Article 1 of the Treaty (Governor's Office of Indian Affairs, 2000). In 1944, the USACE constructed a rubblestone breakwater from Waadah Island to the western shore of Neah Bay. The breakwater gives protection to the Tribe's fishing fleet, pleasure craft, and other light and medium-draft vessels. In 1979, the USACE began rehabilitation of approximately 4,000 linear feet of the 8,200-foot breakwater. The work was completed in 1981 (USACE, 2005).
Former military facilities on Waadah Island consist of four Quonset huts at the island's south end and three bunkers in the south-central portion at the island's highest point (Keres, 2002b). The facility is listed as FUDS property #F10WA0614 (USACE, 2002). The Quonset huts have deteriorated such that the exterior walls of the buildings are partially missing. Miscellaneous debris inside the Quonset huts consists of metal building pieces, electric cables, steel pipes, electrical conduits and components, and pieces of sheet metal from storage shelves or cabinets (Keres, 2002b). The bunkers are surrounded by an earthen berm encircled by a chain link fence; an unlocked gate provides unrestricted access. The interior walls and ceilings of the bunkers, which are constructed of buried Quonset hut structures, are severely rusted. The entire fenced area, including the bunkers, is overgrown with vegetation (Keres, 2002b). Contamination associated with unknown types of ordnance and/or ammunitions, petroleum products, deteriorating Quonset huts and bunkers, and miscellaneous building debris may have impacted soils at the site. The Tribe is concerned about the hazards associated with the remaining structures and debris (Ridolfi, 2003e). Activities to Date
The site was inspected by the Makah Environmental Restoration Team in March 2001. During the site visit, Tecumseh was also on site to conduct a Phase I environmental site assessment for the USACE. The location of the site was documented using GPS units, and the site was photographed. Keres Consulting produced a Phase I site assessment report in December 2002 and recommended a Phase II site investigation and draft Phase III site assessment report (Keres, 2002b). No sampling activities have been conducted at the site to date. Planned ActivitiesThe Tribe considers this site a moderate priority (Priority B). The following activities are planned for 2006 to 2010:
Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint Investigation: In preparation for building deconstruction and removal, inspections will be conducted to identify possible asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint, and sampling will be conducted. The objective of this inspection will be to develop an inventory of asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint at the site, including the identification of functional spaces, material characteristics, condition, degree of damage, quantity, accessibility, and potential for disturbance. Soil Contamination Investigation: Prior to sampling, a work plan will be prepared. Soil sampling will be conducted on the island to determine whether soil contamination is present. Soil samples will be analyzed for contaminants of concern. Contaminated Soil Removal: Contaminated soil, if present, will be excavated, removed, and transported off site for proper disposal. Sampling will be conducted during the excavation to determine the nature and extent of the contamination. The cleanup efforts will continue until the site meets the required cleanup standards. Voids left by the excavation will be backfilled with clean materials and compacted to the desired density to match the surrounding surface. Building Deconstruction and Removal: The buildings will be deconstructed and removed by a contractor certified to remove and handle lead-based paint. Prior to building deconstruction, asbestos-containing materials will be removed from the structures by a certified asbestos abatement contractor. The deconstruction may involve all building structures, foundations, driveways and walkways, undesired parking pavements, and underground and aboveground plumbing and electrical lines. The construction debris will be shipped off site for proper disposal. Additional Information:
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