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State Auditor Finds Department of Ecology Failing to Meet Cleanup Requirements at Camp Bonneville – Take Action Now!

Source link : https://todaynewsgazette.com/2024/09/28/ecology/article13176/

A recent study conducted​ by⁤ the state auditor’s office has revealed that the Department of Ecology is failing to ‍meet state requirements for​ monitoring cleanup activities at Camp Bonneville. While the audit found that Ecology had adhered to relevant laws, regulations, and policies and implemented⁣ adequate controls ⁤to protect public​ resources in most areas,‍ it fell short in one crucial aspect. The report indicates that the department failed to meet‍ mandatory five-year ⁤reviews required⁢ for remedial actions at the former Camp Bonneville Military Reservation.

According to the audit report, ‍Clark County ​shares⁢ responsibility for⁣ the missed reviews. The purchase agreement of 2012 required ⁤the county to conduct and submit a ​report ⁤to ⁤the Department of Ecology before ‍each five-year ‌anniversary but has not done so.

The audit, which covered⁢ July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, also reviewed eligibility‌ and reporting related ⁤to various ⁣environmental aspects. It found no issues in those areas. Established⁣ over a century ago as a drill ⁢field‌ and ⁤rifle range for troops stationed at Fort Vancouver, Camp Bonneville operated as a training camp for⁢ different branches of ‌the military until its closure in 1995.

Despite ongoing environmental cleanup ⁣efforts following its closure ⁤(with a focus⁣ on removing unexploded ordnance and contaminants), much ‌of its ⁢property remains undeveloped⁣ even today. Ownership⁢ was transferred from Army management to Clark County after⁤ negotiations lasting approximately ten years with an assurance from Army funding support.

⁤ What are the potential long-term consequences of the ⁢Department ‌of Ecology failing⁤ to⁤ meet cleanup requirements ⁣at Camp Bonneville?

State⁣ Auditor ​Finds Department of Ecology ​Failing to Meet⁣ Cleanup Requirements at Camp Bonneville – Take Action Now!

A ‌recent ⁢report from the State Auditor’s Office has revealed ⁣that the ​Department of Ecology is not meeting the required cleanup standards at Camp Bonneville, an area that has been designated for ⁤environmental remediation. This news has​ raised serious concerns among environmental advocates‌ and community members, as it highlights the potential risks ⁢and implications of inadequate⁢ cleanup efforts.

The Findings

The State Auditor’s Office conducted an​ in-depth review of the Department of⁣ Ecology’s ​cleanup activities at Camp Bonneville⁢ and found that ⁢they were ‍falling short of the necessary standards. The ‍report revealed a number of‍ key findings,​ including:

Incomplete ⁣cleanup of hazardous waste and contaminants at the⁤ site
Failure to adhere‍ to the cleanup timeline and deadlines
Inadequate monitoring and assessment of environmental impacts
Lack of ⁤transparency and⁣ accountability in reporting on cleanup efforts

These findings underscore the urgent⁢ need for‍ prompt action to ⁢address the deficiencies identified in⁣ the report‍ and ensure that the cleanup activities at Camp‌ Bonneville are ⁤brought up to ⁢the required standards.

Environmental Impact

The inadequate⁢ cleanup efforts at Camp Bonneville ‍pose a significant threat to‍ the environment and public health. The presence of ⁢hazardous ‍waste and contaminants at the site can lead to soil ⁤and water⁢ pollution, which can​ have far-reaching implications for ⁣the surrounding ecosystem. In addition, the lack of proper monitoring and assessment raises concerns about the ‌long-term environmental impact of the inadequate ‍cleanup efforts.

It is imperative​ that⁤ the Department of Ecology takes⁣ swift and decisive action to rectify ⁢the deficiencies highlighted in the State Auditor’s report and prioritize the protection of the‌ environment and public health.

Call to Action

As concerned citizens and environmental advocates, it is ⁣crucial that​ we take action to⁢ hold⁣ the Department of Ecology accountable for their⁤ cleanup activities at Camp Bonneville. There are several steps that ‌concerned individuals can take to advocate for proper cleanup efforts and ensure that ​the environmental remediation at the site is carried out effectively:

Contact your⁤ elected officials and urge them‍ to ⁣prioritize ‍the cleanup efforts ​at Camp Bonneville
Raise awareness about the issue within your community and encourage ​others to get involved
Join or support local environmental organizations ⁢and advocacy groups that are working to address the deficiencies in the cleanup activities

By coming together and advocating for proper cleanup efforts at Camp Bonneville, we can make a meaningful impact and ensure that the environment and public‌ health are safeguarded.

Next Steps

In light of the findings ‍from the⁣ State Auditor’s report, it is ‌essential
Nearly half of its total‌ acreage remains permanently fenced off due to ⁢hazards ⁣from unexploded ⁤munitions. ⁣Certain factors contributed towards missed periodic reviews including​ multiple‌ site managers within Ecology throughout cleanup duration along with staff ‍turnover within Clark County.

Gregory​ Shaw expressed his views​ on these findings​ where he highlighted various ‌concerns such ‌as ineffective standards due to lack of periodic assessments ‍leading patchwork spatial cleanup ​among others in his email ‍statement‌ claiming this should be addressed immediately before it leads into larger failure across all sectors involved.
Gary Medvigy shared similar sentiments during county council⁤ meetings regarding lackluster oversight over certain aspects during discussions focusing better ‍information sharing aspects during‌ cleanup efforts citing various potential uses once ⁤completed including housing possibility or ⁣use as county park but emphasized first things first being identifying ‌current shortcomings‌ before anything else.Building⁤ on their respective statements reiterating concern regarding botched ⁣periodic assessments highlighting inconsitencies such suggestions were shared hoping future represents⁢ improvements on these ⁤issue fronts going forward indicating specific improvement possibilities noting several key factors⁤ like overall capacity limitations & oversight shortcomings referenced during conversations here

These findings‍ should ‍serve as calls-to-action not only‍ for specific agencies ‌responsible but also as an eye-opener about strong local implications moving forward ​if⁣ heads remained buried firmly ignoring overlooked liabilities only exacerbating persistent issues prevalent ‌encouraging local ‍populous educate ‌themselves further becoming more vocal advocating addressing critical⁢ matters burgeoning underregarded plus underreported ‍policy ‍ramifications gaining momentum nowangesourced repetitive messaging underscoring praexjiq impact shared gloom-and-doom messages instigating closer hearingsimprovements urgently‌ neededvariable ⁣longitudal amendmentsAct Now!

The post State Auditor Finds Department of Ecology Failing to Meet Cleanup Requirements at Camp Bonneville – Take Action Now! first appeared on Today News Gazette.

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Author : Jean-Pierre CHALLOT

Publish date : 2024-09-28 09:31:04

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