Work in Progress

The following four tasks have been identified for restoration of the former military sites: project administration, DoD environmental restoration, solid waste management, and community outreach.  Each of these tasks is outlined below.  After obtaining input from the community, the costs to accomplish each of the tasks will be estimated and potential funding sources for the tasks will be identified.

Project Administration Tasks

1. Project Management: Project management includes preparation of work plans, budgets, and schedules. Overall activities are coordinated among Makah staff, contractors, and government agencies. Monthly project status reports are produced, project files are maintained, and grant administration is conducted. Project meetings are organized and conducted and public outreach is coordinated.
2. SPIP Update: The SPIP needs to be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect new information on environmental impacts, progress on restoration work, and changes to project priorities (USDoD, 2004).

DoD Environmental Restoration

Environmental restoration activities planned for the sites designated Priority A, B, and C are detailed under each site's description. 

In the short term (August 2006 to August 2007), the Makah Environmental Restoration Team will concentrate on the high priority (Priority A) sites with the largest efforts focused on Tatoosh Island (Site 22), the Navy Life Boat Station (Site 2), and the Family Housing Area (Site 13).  The work at these sites will involve asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, removal of petroleum-contaminated soil, and removal and deconstruction of abandoned buildings and structures.

Elements common to the restoration plans for different sites may be completed in parallel to optimize use of time and resources.  Whenever possible and appropriate, multiple activities will be combined on an opportunistic basis to minimize costs.  For example, deconstruction activities at various sites, such as removal of asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint, can be combined to economize on mobilization and demobilization, confirmation sampling and analysis, and waste disposal costs.

To reduce overall costs, work may be performed at lower-priority sites on an opportunistic basis when it can be coordinated with work at the higher-priority sites.  For example, the sampling of soil, sediment, surface water, ground water, paint, or building materials can be performed at lower-priority sites as time permits, reducing overall sampling costs, and fuel storage tank removals can be performed at lower-priority sites when the crew and equipment are already mobilized for a higher-priority site.

Solid Waste Management

Activities related to solid waste management are funded through several agencies.  These activities must be coordinated with planned NALEMP actions and particularly with those related to closure of the Warmhouse Beach Open Dump (Site 4).

Solid Waste Transfer Station

Closure of the Warmhouse Beach Open Dump is contingent on establishing an alternative solid waste disposal system.  The Tribe is evaluating several alternatives, including various combinations of municipal solid waste landfill, construction debris landfill, incinerator, disposal to an existing facility on the Olympic Peninsula, and disposal to an existing facility elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest.  All alternatives rely on, or greatly benefit from, construction of a waste transfer station.

Funding for the design of a new waste transfer station has been secured through the USEPA and IHS, and additional funding is expected from the Tribal Solid Waste Interagency Workgroup.  The design phase is complete and the USDA-RD is expected to provide funding for construction.

Waste Reduction

The Tribe is evaluating several options to reduce waste at the source, including reusing, recycling, and exchanging used goods.  Construction of the waste transfer station will support waste diversion strategies, because the station will provide dedicated areas where material that can be reused or recycled can be sorted from the waste.

Community Outreach

Community outreach will be conducted as needed to coincide with milestones in environmental mitigation.  Community outreach activities may include holding public information meetings, publishing fact sheets and newsletters, making presentations, conducting recycling workshops, and organizing household hazardous waste collection events.