Fort Lewis, Ecology reach deal
Post will take steps to keep hazardous wastes from hitting Puget Sound
Fort Lewis officials promised Wednesday to help protect Puget Sound by intercepting hazardous wastes before they enter the post’s sewage treatment plant.
The agreement between the Army and the state Department of Ecology follows a state investigation that began about a year ago after a contractor reported a problem.
The state’s findings were buttressed by a federal whistle-blower complaint that oil and other contaminants were spilling into the Sound, said K Seiler, an Ecology Department manager. The complaint came from about a dozen Fort Lewis treatment plant employees.
The memorandum of understanding signed in a ceremony Wednesday at the post includes a timeline for developing and implementing a so-called pretreatment program for industrial wastes from the post and other sources, state officials said.
“Protecting and restoring the health of Puget Sound is a top priority for Gov. (Chris) Gregoire and Ecology, and this agreement will help eliminate potential sources of industrial pollution to an already fragile ecosystem,” said Jay Manning, Ecology Department director.
The post’s Solo Point plant processes sewage from about 90,000 people daily. It serves not only Fort Lewis, but also McChord Air Force Base, Camp Murray, American Lake Veterans Administration Hospital and some Clover Park School District schools.
“We are seriously committed to preserving the land and water for which we’ve been given stewardship responsibility,” said Col. Cynthia Murphy, Fort Lewis garrison commander.
Continue reading this article from the Tacoma News Tribune:
Fort Lewis, Ecology reach deal
