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Nehalem River Response

 
Site Contact:
Marc Callaghan
ON SCENE COORDINATOR

(callaghan.marc@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Vernonia, OR
response.epa.gov/NRR

During the winter of 2007-2008, Two powerful floods occurred on the Nehalem River in Northwestern Oregon. The December 2007 and January 2008 floods scattered debris throughout the Nehalem River Valley with the majority of known damage occurring in the vicinity of Vernonia and Mist, OR. Debris identified consists of common household materials such as plastic containers, wood and tarps to hazardous materials including fuel and chemical drums, fertilizers, and paint.

Unified Command has been formed between USEPA and Oregon DEQ, and assessment and removal activities began on April 1, 2008.


HHW Collection Event in Vernonia, Oregon. EPA Region 10 Mobile Command Post and Level A Truck Examples of debris washed into the forest. Examples of HHW found along the Nehalem River Example of a debris pile along the Nehalem River. Debris illustrating extent of high water in the Nehalem River. Label on Tank marked Trash container in Nehalem River. Transformers (1 leaking) on Vernonia High School property. An example of the river hazards encountered by the on-water recon team. Propane tank found by the on-water recon team. Drum found by the on-water recon team. Residential debris found by the on-water recon team. Additional drum found by the land recon team. Fuel tank found by the on-water recon team in the Nehalem River. Drum found by land recon team near Anderson Park. Recovered containers at the new staging area next to Lake Vernonia. Incident Command Post in Vernonia, Oregon. Debris pile near the Nehalem River near Vernonia, Oregon. Debris caught in overhead lines near Vernonia, Oregon Debris pile near the Nehalem River near Vernonia, Oregon. Debris pile near the Nehalem River near Vernonia, Oregon.
For additional information, visit the Pollution Report (POLREPS) section.