Skykomish- The Forest Service is in the process of preparing for a Removal Action at the Index Shooting Range (Site) under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The approximately 7 acre Site was a recreational shotgun range situated on Forest Service land approximately ½ mile west of Index, Washington and operated from 1947 until 2009. Due to the extended time frame during which lead shotgun pellets were released to the environment, the current concentration of lead in the Site soils exceeds safe levels. The Forest Service has evaluated several options for Site cleanup and the proposed option is tree clearing and excavation of lead-contaminated soil and disposal at an offsite location.
The 2015 Data Gaps Investigation and 2011 Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for the Site are available for public review and comment. The documents are available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/home/?cid=STELPRDB5162487 as well as in hard copy at the Skykomish Ranger District office in Skykomish, WA. Comments will be accepted via email or hardcopy for 30 days. Electronic comments should be submitted to Joseph Gibbens at jfgibbens@fs.fed.us.
Written comments should be mailed or dropped off in person to:
Joe Gibbens
74920 NE Stevens Pass Hwy
P.O. Box 305
Skykomish, WA 98288
What is CERCLA?
“CERCLA” is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. CERCLA was enacted to enable the federal government to respond to or “clean up” sites that have releases or spills of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants to the environment. Forest Service Policy is to use Forest Service CERCLA authority and processes to respond at sites under Forest Service jurisdiction or control where hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants threaten human health or the environment. More information on the Monte Cristo CERCLA Clean up can be found online.
Learn more about the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest.
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