- Once Pierce County Public Works crews cleared snow from the final five-mile stretch of forest road accessing the site, EPA, Washington Department of Ecology, Pierce County EMD John Hancock Timber Group, and the County's response contractors met at the site to investigate and assess the origins of the spill, determine potential environmental impacts, and determine next steps for cleanup. The County's response contractors provided an upper end estimate of the aerial extent of the spill in soil, which was 15 feet X 100 feet X 10 feet deep. Based on field observations, currently Ecology and EPA responders believe the threat to impacts to surface water are low. The County began making logistical arrangements to restore operations to the radio tower via a temporary generator sited elsewhere on the site while remediation contractors arrange to begin excavation of the contaminated soil. These activities will begin by 2/24/17. EPA and Ecology will continue to support the response by providing oversight for the cleanup, monitoring of nearby surface waters, and general technical assistance.
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