DEQ will prepare the monitoring plan with input from EPA. That input will include any comments from the independent Region 10 hydrogeologist who reviewed the repository design based on the OIG’s request. DEQ expects to complete the plan by November 2, 2009.

Now that OIG’s concerns are resolved, Region 10 and DEQ will continue preparation work at East Mission Flats. Starting August 20, DEQ will begin building the base pad for the decontamination facility near the entrance. The pad will be built with about 14,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils from residential area cleanups. This equals about 1,800 truck loads of yard soil waste. Once the material is placed, the soils will be stabilized to protect them from erosion should a flood occur next winter or spring.

The decontamination facility will be similar to the one now in use at the Big Creek repository. The base for the decontamination facility must be built this year to make sure the repository is up and running for the 2010 season. The base must settle for a few months before the concrete structures are built on top. This will ensure that the concrete won’t crack or warp.

EPA Administrator Jackson has received a number of inquiries about the Bunker Hill Superfund site and, specifically, the East Mission Flats repository. Some have asked for the Administrator to review the Region’s decision-making, some have asked for a moratorium at East Mission Flats, and some have expressed support for moving forward with East Mission Flats construction. Administrator Jackson asked Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER), to visit the site and directly assess the situation. The national Superfund program resides in OSWER.

Mr. Stanislaus visited the Bunker Hill site on August 18 and 19 to meet with stakeholders and see the cleanup, including East Mission Flats. As part of his review, the Assistant Administrator may reconsider the work being performed at East Mission Flats. This could include stopping development of the repository. As this review is completed, one of his main considerations will be to ensure that EPA is fulfilling its mandate to protect public health and the environment. This includes an assessment of the implications of delaying development of the East Mission Flats repository. A delay would slow the residential cleanup and cost contractor jobs, including the new jobs created with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds. The Assistant Administrator plans to make his decision soon.

For more information on the OIG investigation, go to the EPA East Mission Flats Web site.