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Warmhouse Beach Cleanup q̓idiq̓abit
(‘Camping Place While Drying Fish’)
Updates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site Cleanup
March 2018
Welcome to q̓idiq̓abit, a newsletter to keep you up-to-date on
activities at the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site! The Makah
Tribe and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are excited to
bring you this first issue. The newsletter is designed to let you
know about what’s happening at the site, opportunities to get
involved, and information resources. We welcome feedback on the
newsletter and ideas for future topics. Please contact one of the
staff on page 7.
In this issue, we give a brief history of the site and how EPA
became involved, and define “Superfund” and the “Superfund
Process.”
Site History The Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site is within
the Makah Indian Reservation, about three miles northwest of Neah
Bay. The site includes an inactive dump about 7 acres in size, with
wastes as deep as 20 feet in some areas. In the past, the dump was
used by the Makah Air Force Station, Indian Health Services, U.S.
Coast Guard, the Makah Tribe and tribal members, other local and
non-local residents, and other entities such as the Cape Flattery
School District. Municipal and household solid and hazardous wastes
were disposed of at the dump from the 1970s until 2012. In 2012,
the Makah Tribe began operating a solid waste transfer station on
the reservation. Access to the dump is currently restricted by a
locked gate. Signs have been placed to discourage the public from
entering the dump.
The dump is located on a ridge or “saddle” between the drainage
area of two creeks: East Creek and West Creek. East Creek
discharges to East Beach near Kydikabbit Point. West Creek
discharges to Warmhouse Beach, an important cultural and natural
resource for the Makah Tribe. Warmhouse Beach has been used as a
summer fishing camp and for subsistence harvest of shellfish,
seaweed and berries, and is currently used for camping, surfing,
and other recreational activities. Both East and Warmhouse beaches
are within the Olympic National Marine Sanctuary along the Strait
of Juan de Fuca, which provides habitat for 29 species of marine
mammals and 90 species of marine birds.
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q̓idiq̓abit Updates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site
Cleanup March 2018
How Did EPA Become Involved at the Site? The Makah Tribe has
been monitoring surface water, sediment, and groundwater around the
dump since 2001. In 2009, the tribe petitioned EPA, pursuant to the
Superfund law and the United States’ trust responsibility to the
tribe, to conduct environmental assessments of the Warmhouse Beach
Open Dump due to increasing concerns about hazardous substances
leaching from the dump. In 2010, EPA completed a study of the dump
called a “Final Preliminary Site Assessment.”
A Hazard Ranking Systems Score was calculated in 2012. Based, in
part, on information from the Hazard Ranking Systems Score, EPA
added the Warmhouse Beach Dump Site to the Superfund National
Priorities list in December 2013. This is the list of the nation’s
hazardous waste sites eligible for cleanup under the federal
Superfund program. The tribe considers cleanup of the dump its
highest environmental priority. What is Superfund? In 1980, the
U.S. Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly called Superfund.
This law was passed in response to growing public concern about
health and environmental threats from hazardous waste sites.
Superfund requires EPA to deal with abandoned, accidentally
spilled, or illegally dumped hazardous substances from the past.
Other types of pollution are handled by other environmental laws.
Putting a site on the Superfund National Priorities List triggers
an extensive assessment of the site. This is called the Remedial
Investigation. If the RI determines there is a likelihood of risk
to human health or the environment, additional actions may be
taken. EPA can take three types of actions, known as response
actions, to deal with abandoned hazardous waste sites: emergency
responses, early actions, and long-term actions. Depending on the
size and complexity of a site, cleanup can happen quickly, or it
can take many years.
What is “Fund-Lead?” Superfund law says EPA can make the people
or organizations responsible for contamination pay for site studies
and cleanup. These people or organizations are called Potentially
Responsible Parties (PRPs). EPA negotiates with PRPs to reach
agreements on what studies and cleanup actions are appropriate.
This type of site is called a PRP-lead site. Sometimes, EPA pays
for studies and cleanups from monies appropriated by Congress
because no PRPs have been identified. This is referred to as a
Superfund-lead or “fund-lead” site, for short. If PRPs are later
identified, EPA will work to make PRPs pay back the costs. To date,
no PRPs have been identified for the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund
site. We have not finished our PRP search. Therefore, EPA is using
monies appropriated by Congress to pay for site activities. This is
why the site is referred to as a “fund-lead” site.
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q̓idiq̓abit Updates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site
Cleanup March 2018
The Superfund Process for a Fund-lead Site Site Discovery: The
first step in the Superfund process, Site Discovery refers to the
number of ways that EPA becomes aware of the need to consider a
site for cleanup.
Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation (PA/SI): During the
PA, EPA reviews any existing information, including earlier
sampling results. The PA is followed by the SI, which includes a
site visit and additional sampling.
National Priorities List (NPL): The NPL is the national
Superfund list of priorities among known or threatened releases of
contaminants, hazardous substances, or pollutants. This list guides
EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation.
Remedial Investigation & Feasibility Study (RI/FS):
Following NPL listing, EPA designs a thorough study of the site.
This includes sampling soils, surface water, groundwater, and other
media identified. Many times there are a number of sampling events.
During the RI, EPA performs risk assessments to determine whether
the unique contaminants and pathways of exposure at a site pose
threats to people’s health or the environment. During the FS, EPA
develops possible ways, called cleanup alternatives, to address
unacceptable risks.
Proposed Plan (PP): The Proposed Plan announces a formal minimum
30-day public comment period. It summarizes RI/FS findings,
compares cleanup alternatives, identifies EPA’s preferred
alternative, and explains how to provide public comments. EPA
issues a plain language fact sheet to the public, summarizing the
Proposed Plan. A public meeting is held during the public comment
period to present the cleanup alternative, and take verbal and
written comments.
Record of Decision (ROD): The ROD describes the cleanup method
EPA selected for the site, and the rationale for the selection. The
ROD includes a Responsiveness Summary that addresses public
comments from the Proposed Plan comment period.
Remedial Design (RD): RD is the development of engineering
drawings and specifications for site cleanup. It defines how the
cleanup will be done.
Remedial Action (RA): RA means carrying out the cleanup. It
could mean building treatment facilities, removing waste piles,
containing contamination, or any other aspect to put the cleanup
decision into action.
Place site on Superfund National
Priorities List.
Remedial Investigation (RI):
• Find out nature and extent of contamination.
• Assess risks to people and environment.
Feasibility Study (FS):
Describe and compare possible
cleanup alternatives using EPA’s 9
evaluation criteria.
Proposed Plan:• Present EPA’s
preferred cleanup option.
• Formal public comment period.
Record of Decision:
Issue cleanup decision.
Remedial Design:
Define how cleanup will be
done.
Remedial Action:
Carry out site cleanup.
EPA’s Superfund Process
We AreHERE
Continued
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q̓idiq̓abit Updates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site
Cleanup March 2018
The Superfund Process for a Fund-lead Site ContinuedDelisting:
When a site has met its cleanup objectives, it can be removed from
the Superfund National Priorities List.
Reuse/Redevelopment: The EPA may work with community members and
other partners to return remediated hazardous waste sites to safe
and productive use, without adversely affecting the cleanup.
Glossary of Some Key Superfund Terms: CERCLA: A law passed in
1980 designed to fund the cleanup of sites contaminated with
hazardous substances and pollutants. It is commonly known as
Superfund.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Publication containing
federal regulations. EPA regulations are in Title 40 (40 CFR).
These can be found at law libraries and some public libraries.
Comment Period: An official time period during which the public
can review and comment on various documents and EPA actions.
Early Action: This type of response action is used at a site
that poses a threat in the near future. Examples are providing
clean drinking water to a community with a contaminated drinking
water supply, removing hazardous materials from a site, or
preventing contaminants from spreading. Early actions may last a
few days for up to five years.
Emergency Response: This type of response takes place at a site
that requires immediate action to eliminate serious risks to
people’s health and the environment. An example is a chemical spill
in a community.
Environmental Justice (EJ): Environmental Justice is the fair
treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of
race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the
development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.
Feasibility Study (FS): During the FS, EPA uses the findings
from the Remedial Investigation to develop possible ways, called
cleanup alternatives, to address unacceptable risks.
Hazard Ranking System (HRS): A scoring system EPA uses to give a
site a number, or score, according to the risk it poses to people’s
health and the environment. Risk is a way of saying how likely it
is that someone will be exposed to a hazardous substance, and the
chance s/he will be harmed by that exposure. Environmental risk
estimates how likely it is that a hazardous substance will harm the
environment (water, plants, animals, air, and so forth). A site’s
HRS score is the primary factor for placing it on the Superfund
National Priorities List.
Long-Term Action: This is used at a site where cleanup may take
many years, even decades. Often, both early and long-term actions
take place at the same time. Leaking drums can be removed in an
early action, while contaminated groundwater is treated under a
long-term action.
National Priorities List (NPL): The list of the nation’s
hazardous waste sites eligible for cleanup under the federal
Superfund program.
Potentially Responsible Party (PRP): Individuals or entities
responsible for, in whole or in part, the presence of hazardous
substances at a site.
Remedial Investigation (RI): Following NPL listing, EPA designs
a thorough study of the site. This includes sampling soils, surface
water, groundwater, and other media identified. Many times there
are a number of sampling events. During the RI, EPA performs risk
assessments to determine whether the unique contaminants and
pathways of exposure at a site pose threats to people’s health or
the environment.
Remediation: Cleanup method at a hazardous waste site.
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q̓idiq̓abit Updates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site
Cleanup March 2018
Sampling and MonitoringA number of sampling events have been
conducted in and around the Warmhouse Beach Dump, as part of the
“Remedial Investigation” of this Superfund Site. These events
included the sampling of:
● Surface water and sediment from nearby creeks; ● Soil within
and next to the dump; and,● Surface water, soil and sediment from
areas thought not to be impacted by the dump, called
“background” areas. The data from the 2016 and 2017 sampling
events were made available to the Makah Tribe and others in early
December 2017. The data will now be evaluated over the next several
months and used to decide whether more sampling is needed to better
understand the type and areas of contamination, and what risks to
people, animals, and the environment exist.
A number of sampling events have been conducted in and around
the Warmhouse Beach Dump, as part of the “Remedial In-vestigation”
of this Superfund Site. These events included the sampling of: ●
Surface water and sediment from
nearby creeks; ● Soil within and next to the dump; and, ●
Surface water, soil and sediment from
areas thought not to be impacted by the dump, called
“background” areas.
The data from the 2016 and 2017 sampling events were made
available to the Makah Tribe and others in early December 2017.
The data will now be evaluated over the next several months and
used to decide whether more sampling is needed to better understand
the type and areas of contamination, and what risks to people,
animals, and the environment exist. Taking soil sample near a
creek.
Where are We Now in the Superfund Process? The EPA is at the
early stage of the Superfund process, called the “Remedial
Investigation/Feasibility Study” or “RI/FS.” During this stage, EPA
consolidates data previously collected from the site, determines if
there are any data gaps, and collects any missing data.
During the Remedial Investigation, EPA looks at all this
information to assess how the waste from the dump might affect
people or the environment. What are the risks that could be caused
by the waste? What are the impacts to the environment? These
studies determine if people, animals, and plants are exposed to
site-related contamination above the EPA’s acceptable risk level.
Next, during the “Feasibility Study,” EPA will use the findings
from the RI to develop a number of cleanup alternatives.
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q̓idiq̓abit Updates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site
Cleanup March 2018
Memorandum of Understanding Sets Framework for Coordination
A Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, has been established
between EPA and the Makah Tribal Council. The MOU supports tribal
participation in the Superfund process. It details how the Tribe
and EPA shall coordinate on a government-to-government basis in
meeting responsibilities under Superfund, and other applicable
federal or tribal law, to address releases or threatened releases
of hazardous substances associated with the site.
The Role of Community Engagement Community participation is an
important part of a Superfund cleanup. EPA is committed to a robust
community engagement program as we work through the Superfund
process at the Warmhouse Beach Dump site. EPA intends for its
community engagement program to be transparent, constructive, give
timely information, and address local needs. EPA will continue to
work with the Makah Tribe’s Project Lead and Tribal Council to
schedule outreach opportunities that work for the community. These
may include community dinner presentations, public informational
meetings, workshops, open houses, exhibits at the annual Makah Days
event, and other opportunities as identified.
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q̓idiq̓abit Updates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site
Cleanup March 2018
Community Involvement Plan Available In 2016, EPA and its
contractor, Triangle Associates, finalized the site’s Community
Involvement Plan (CIP). The plan is based on interviews with
community members and key stakeholders. It identifies the
community’s concerns and interests in the cleanup, and records the
most effective ways to distribute information and get input about
ongoing cleanup studies and activities. The plan reflects comments
from the community, the Makah Tribal Council, the EPA, and the
Agency for Toxics Substances and Diseases Registry. To get your
copy of the plan, please visit Patricia Barros, the tribe’s
Warmhouse Beach Dump Site Project Lead, at the Makah Tribal Center,
Environmental Division, 101 Resort Drive.
Who Can I Contact For More Information? EPA: REMEDIAL PROJECT
MANAGER (RPM )Claire Hong (206) 553-1813 [email protected]
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COORDINATOR (CIC) Debra Sherbina (206)
553-0247 [email protected]
Makah Tribe: PROJECT LEAD, Makah Environmental Health Patricia
Barros (360) 645-3278 [email protected]
On the Web: www.epa.gov/superfund/warmhouse-beach
Alternative formats are available. For reasonable accommodation,
please call Debra Sherbina at 206-553-0247.
� TTY users, please call the Federal Relay Service at
800-877-8339 and ask for Debra Sherbina at (206) 553-0247.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.epa.gov/superfund/warmhouse-beach
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Public Affairs and Community Engagement 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite
900, RAD-202-3 Seattle, Washington 98101-3140 March 2018
Region 10
Inside… h The Superfund Process for a Fund-Lead Site h Where are
we now in the Superfund Process? h Sampling and Monitoring h The
Role of Community Engagement h Much More!
q̓idiq̓abitUpdates on the Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site
Cleanup
Learn More About the Warmhouse Beach Dump Cleanup on the Web
https://go.usa.gov/xnt5k
https://go.usa.gov/xnt5k
Site History How Did EPA Become Involved at the Site? What is
Superfund? What is “Fund-Lead?” The Superfund Process for a
Fund-lead Site Glossary of Some Key Superfund Terms: Where are We
Now in the Superfund Process?
Sampling and monitoring Memorandum of Understanding Sets
Framework for CoordinationThe Role of Community Engagement
Community Involvement Plan Available
Who Can I Contact For More Information? EPAMakah Tribe: On the
Web: Alternative formats are available.
