EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessment Applications for Culturally Sensitive Sites The TseWhitZen Village Cemetery Restoration Project Joanne LaBaw, EPA Matthew Beirne, LEKT TseWhitZen Cemetery Project Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Hood Canal Bridge Project (“Graving Dock”) Hood Canal Bridge Project - Port Angeles Harbor selected by Washington State DOT for “Graving Dock” used to construct components for floating bridge. The Tribe warned the State DOT that the project site was at the site known by the Tribe to be a historic village. Project was on a fast track due to the current condition of the bridge.

Hood Canal Bridge

Project Site Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

“TseWhitZen Village”

TseWhitZen Village “Discovery” First human remains unearthed within days of project start in August A stop work order was issued. Tribe & State entered into agreement that allowed tribe and archaeologists to recover human remains and store for later re-burial. Allowed the project to move forward.

TseWhitZen Village “Discovery” After 335 intact human remains were found, the Tribe told the State DOT, “Enough is enough” and asked that the project be stopped. Project was stopped in December Project lands were given to the Tribe to rebury their ancestors and to establish a permanent cemetery.

TseWhitZen Village “Discovery” One of the largest Native American village sites in North America, over 2,700 years old. Over 64,000 artifacts have been found at the TseWhitZen Village Site.

TseWhitZen Cemetery Project After acquiring the property the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe requested that EPA conduct a Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA). Concern over possible contamination at the site. Extensive history of wood products-related industrial activities throughout the 20th century: Fiberboard, lumber & shingle mills, box factories, engine rooms, burners, machine shops, boilers & fuel tanks.

Targeted Brownfields Assessment Address concern over exposure of workers who were returning remains to the cemetery. Restore the cemetery for ancestors and put the land into Trust to ensure long-term protection. EPA responded rapidly to assist the tribe and a contractor was hired.

Targeted Brownfields Assessment Challenging Sampling Scenario: –Balance need for thorough analysis with need to protect cultural resources. –Wide variety of contaminants: Metals, Petroleum, Semi-volatile Organic Compounds, PCBs and Dioxins. –Three sampling media: native soils, soil stockpiles and groundwater. –Surface soils had already been removed from site (top 4’-6’). Some soils were landfilled 20,000 yards returned due to archaeology concerns & staged in piles.

Targeted Brownfields Assessment -EPA worked with Tribal archeologists and members to ensure cultural resources were protected during the sampling event. -Tribe provided continuous oversight throughout the field work

Targeted Brownfields Assessment Results: All soil and groundwater sample concentrations were below Washington State industrial clean up levels. Metals, SVOCs and PCB concentrations did not exceed risk-based criteria. Two surface soil samples slightly exceeded State Unrestricted cleanup levels for Dioxin.

Targeted Brownfields Assessment Conclusions: State unrestricted standards for dioxins are for residential lifetime exposure scenarios. The tribal cemetery will not involve these residential exposure scenarios. The site does not appear to pose an increased risk to human health.

TseWhitZen Cemetery TseWhitZen Cemetery Project Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Implementation

TseWhitZen Cemetery Construction Ancestors were reburied in cedar boxes and geotextile fabric placed across site. Soil stockpiles screened for cultural resources by hand. Soil stockpiles then spread across site and clean fill used as cap. Fee to trust application pending unrelated issues. TseWhitZen Cemetery Project Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

TseWhitZen Cemetery Construction TseWhitZen Cemetery Project Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

TseWhitZen Cemetery Future Goals Curation Facility – Specialized climate controlled facility to house artifacts and documentation. Cultural Museum – Means of sharing Klallam history and culture, display artifacts, and enhance economic development TseWhitZen Cemetery Project Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe