The Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park is a 196 acre park in Clallam County with upland forests, rocky bluffs, tide pools, campsites and RV sites near Port Angeles. The site overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca and surface water from the site drains toward the Strait.
A portion of the park was once a 500 yard military firing range during World War II. Later it was turned into a Sportsman’s 200 yard shooting range, which was finally closed in 1998 when the Park opened.
Following up on reports from a concerned citizen in the area about lead contamination in the park soil, EPA OSC Kathy Party and 2 START contractors conducted sampling at the site from August 4, 2009 through August 6, 2009. EPA OSC Parker directed the collection of approximately 180 in-situ soil samples for lead and other metals using an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) detector, and the collection of 17 soil and sediment samples for laboratory confirmation. In addition, 4 surface water samples were also collected from the area. To the extent possible (as limited by vegetative overgrowth), the sampling positions were located using geographic positioning system (GPS) technology to key the sample locations for future visual assessment.
To be determined once the entire set of analytical data is available for review. The nature and magnitude of any potential contamination will be assessed and compared against appropriate risk-based levels to determine the need for a Removal Action or institutional controls.
- Determine whether contaminants of concern are moving off the site.
- Determine site specific, risk-based action levels.
- Determine appropriate actions to minimize ecological and human health risk.
- Determine ownership of contaminated area.
- Prepare Trip Report with associated data tables and contamination mapping.
There are several key issues that relate to current use of the site and the larger Salt Creek Recreation Area (Park).
1. There exists the real potential for disrupting the normal level of Park use during a removal event.
2. Excavation would involve the development of roadway into the contaminated area, a currently undeveloped forested section of the Park.
3. A removal may bring undesirable media/public attention to the Park and its County Operators.
4. Warning signage of chemical contamination may raise public concern and present communicaiton challenges to the Park Operators and the County Health Department..
|
