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Site 6: Microwave TowerSite History and Background
The microwave tower, which was built by the USAF in the 1950s as part of the Bahokus Peak radar system, was used as a Lower Power Transmitter Area (USAF, 1956) and was part of the Operation Area at Bahokus Peak (USAF, 1961). The Engineering Plant Building (also known as the Powerhouse) was at this site (Radian, 1987; USAF, 1961). Diesel fuel mixed with high-detergent lubricants was used to run the building's generators; the used barrels were disposed of in the Warmhouse Beach Open Dump (LaChester, 1994). Waste oil generated in the Engineering Plant Building was either burned in the Cantonment Area boilers as fuel, burned in the burn pit at the Cantonment Area, or spread on roads for dust control (Chamblin, 1994; Olson, 1994). Six 10,000-gallon underground storage tanks were formerly in use at the site, and the area was served by a 500-gallon septic tank/filter field system (Radian, 1987).
A leveled area, two operational antenna towers, and two small buildings remain at the site. Eleven underground storage tanks are depicted on the plot plan in the 1987 hazard evaluation report (Radian, 1987). Environmental concerns at this site include potentially diesel- and oil-contaminated soils associated with the underground storage tanks and an abandoned septic tank system. Activities to DateThe Makah Environmental Restoration Team performed site inspections in October 2000 and in March and April 2004. Sampling has not been conducted at the site. No evidence of the underground storage tanks, such as vent and fill pipes, was observed during the site inspections. Planned ActivitiesThe Tribe considers this site a lower priority (Priority C). The following activities are planned for 2006 to 2010:
Underground Storage Tank Investigation and Removal: Underground storage tanks and associated contaminated soil will be located and removed. Test pits will be excavated to locate the tanks. If tanks are found, the removal will include identifying tank contents, emptying the tanks, disconnecting pipelines, excavating and removing the tanks and associated pipelines, and properly disposing of debris and tank contents. The soil around the tanks will be sampled and analyzed after tank removal to determine the nature and extent of possible contamination. Should contamination be found, the soil will be excavated to meet the local cleanup standard and properly disposed of. Holes and pits left by the excavation will be backfilled with clean materials and compacted to the desired density to match the surrounding surface. 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 is 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. Building Deconstruction and Removal: The abandoned buildings will be deconstructed and removed. If lead-based paint has been identified for a given abandoned structure, deconstruction and removal will be conducted by a contractor certified to remove and handle lead-based paint. Prior to the deconstruction of abandoned buildings that contain asbestos, all asbestos-containing materials will be removed from the structures by a certified asbestos abatement contractor. Proper deconstruction methods and material handling techniques will be employed. The deconstruction may involve building structures, foundations, walkways, 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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