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!
