Aug. 8, 2008 at 11:57am

Cleanup nears end in Lewis flood zone

After eight months of sustained effort, Washington Department of Ecology and Washington Conservation Corps crews are wrapping up recovery efforts in the areas where flooding devastated Lewis County early last winter.

"The floodwaters swept thousands of containers of varying sizes along its path, and left them along roadways, in farm fields and in environmentally sensitive areas," said Regional Spill Response Supervisor Jim Sachet. "If left in place, the waste materials would present a direct threat to the public, landowners and the environment."

The cleanup effort to date has resulted in the disposal of more than 3,500 gallons of oil, gasoline, paint-related materials, corrosive liquids and pesticides left by the flood. In addition, more than 17,000 pounds of oil-contaminated debris and empty oil and hazardous material containers have been safely and properly discarded.

Work initially began in the Centralia area and along the major highways and roads to collect easily accessible containers and materials. An overflight made shortly after the flood identified difficult-to-reach areas along the Chehalis River where containers had also been deposited. Several large log jams were found to be full of drums and other containers.

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