EPA was notified of a partially demolished trailer containing asbestos located in Port Hadlock-Irondale, WA via Jefferson County Public Health. After assessment of the property on September 17th, 2021, EPA mobilized START (Superfund Technical Assistance Response Team) and ERRS (Emergency and Rapid Response Services) contractors to support an emergency removal action to dispose of the asbestos containing material (ACM) found at the site and prevent human health concerns and contamination to adjacent Chimacum Creek.
Chimacum Creek is a salmon-bearing stream, known for spawning aggregations of Hood Canal summer-run chum, (Oncorhynchus keta). The ACM in the trailer debris was not stabilized and could have continued to travel down the slope into the creek due to mechanical degradation, erosion, or via heavy rain or windstorms.
Removal activities began on September 20th, 2021 and concluded on September 21st, 2021. The Site was stabilized and all hazardous waste was removed.