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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2019)
REGION Wednesday, June 19, 2019 East Oregonian A3 First herbicide barrel removed from Wallowa Lake Barrels were first found nearly 10 months ago by recreational divers By ERIN ROSS Oregon Public Broadcasting JOSEPH — The Environ- mental Protection Agency has begun removing potentially contaminated barrels from Wallowa Lake. Despite ini- tial fears, the barrels seem to have been full of lake water, though the EPA is waiting for test results to confirm that the water and barrels are indeed clean. The barrels were first found nearly 10 months ago by recreational divers, who were alarmed to see one labeled with “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T.” 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T are agricultural EOMG photo by Ellen Morris Bishop An “intact” barrel removed from Wallowa Lake by the EPA-contracted dive team, Global Diving and Salvage hangs above the over-sized containment barrel that encased it be- fore divers removed it from the lake. herbicides that, when com- bined in military strengths, can form Agent Orange. Agent Orange was an herbi- cide and defoliant that the U.S. military sprayed during the Vietnam War, with devastat- ing public health and environ- mental consequences. Initially, divers reported over a dozen large, intact bar- rels beneath the surface, and several others that were rusted away. Wallowa Lake is nor- mally the source of drinking water for the nearby commu- nity of Joseph. On Thursday, officials started drawing water from a well instead, and will continue to do so for the dura- tion of the cleanup. The lake is also used by recreational boat- ers and swimmers. “We have now, after sev- eral days of investigation, determined that it was only one drum with that herbi- cide label, and that drum was filled with lake water,” EPA spokesperson Bill Dunbar said Monday. It’s not uncommon to find barrels like these in lakes, says Dunbar said. Empty barrels are frequently used as floats for docks, while others are filled with sand or water and used as weights for anchors, and these barrels were found near a marina. Still, that doesn’t mean that a barrel full of herbicide couldn’t have found its way to the bottom of the lake. The EPA arrived at Wal- lowa Lake late last week with an ROV — an unmanned sub- mersible vehicle — which they used to scout the area. Accord- ing to Dunbar, they found 69 barrels, and suspect there could be several more, “From what I understand, there could be hundreds in the lake from many decades of use.” So far only one barrel has been found to have a label. It said “2,4-D or 2,4,5-T”, not “2,4-D and 2,4,5-T.” Dun- bar said that makes it unlikely that it contained both chemi- cals mixed together as Agent Orange. The Vietnam War defoliant got its name from the orange identification stripes painted on the 55-gallon drums that it used to come in. Those stripes were absent from the barrel. Although the barrel most likely never con- tained both herbicides, 2,4,5-T can be toxic, and has been banned for use in the U.S. since 1985. 2,4-D is still com- monly used as an herbicide. Divers later recovered the barrel and found it had sev- eral holes in it and was full of lake water. It’s unclear if it was sunk empty, or if the contents escaped in the decades since it was sunk. Another barrel labeled “diesel” was also removed. The EPA plans to continue to check the barrels, and remove those with labels indicating they could have toxic contam- inants. The water near the bar- rels has also been tested, as have sediments at the bottom of the lake. No test results have been released. LOCAL BRIEFING UFO group presents in Pasco PASCO — The eastern Washington chapter of the Mutual UFO Network invites the public to attend a presentation Saturday in the Tri-Cicites. Daniel Nims is the chief investigator for Washington MUFON and will discuss intriguing sightings in eastern Washington. Nims grew up in Eastern Oregon and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineer- ing science at the U.S. Air Force Academy, according to the meeting announcement. He was a combat fighter pilot and flew the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in southeast Asia and later with the Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. He also was a test pilot for the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, two of the nation’s most successful military aircraft. The presentation, “UFOs in Eastern Washington?” is Saturday, 6-8 p.m., at the Sleep Inn, 9930 Bedford St., Pasco, Washington. Pendleton DMV changes hours starting July 1 PENDLETON — The Pendleton office of the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division announced it will change the hours of operations July 1. The DMV office at 1732 S.W. Court Ave. has been operating 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri- day. But come July 1, the office will operate 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Pendleton office is one of three DMV offices that serve Umatilla County and the only one in Oregon that opened at 8:30 in the morning. The change makes the local office consistent with other offices across Oregon, according to the announce- ment, and allows for more efficient staffing schedules. The driver division also suggested visi- tors first check OregonDMV.com to make sure they have everything they need. Rather than coming to an office, you can renew vehicle registrations, change your address, report the sale of a vehicle and more online at www.oregondmv.com. Hansell wildfire legislation passes the Legislature SALEM — Legislation introduced by Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, unanimously passed the Legislature and was signed into law by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Monday. Senate Bill 290 makes farmers, ranchers and volunteers immune from civil liabilities resulting from wildfire fighting efforts. The legislation was inspired by the Substation Fire, which burned 80,000 acres of land in Sherman and Wasco counties last July. “This is a good Samaritan bill for farm- ers and ranchers to plow fire lines, and it protects these farmers and ranchers from liability,” Hansell said. “I am proud to have witnessed the ceremonial signing along with the farmers and ranchers that it will help.” Oregon’s fed lawmakers seek disaster aid for six counties WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio and Greg Walden sought federal disaster assistance for spring storms that hit Curry, Douglas, Grant, Linn, Uma- tilla and Wheeler counties during a two- week stretch in April. The bipartisan letter from the Ore- gon lawmakers — Wyden, Merkley and DeFazio are Democrats, Walden is Repub- lican — comes in support of Gov. Kate Brown’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for those counties’ losses from heavy rain, snowmelt, flooding, landslides and mudslides between April 6 and 21. Staff photo by Jessica Pollard Traffic was redirected around a rear-end crash involving two vehicles on Highway 395 out- side of Hermiston on Tuesday. Crash on Highway 395 leaves one seriously injured By JESSICA POLLARD East Oregonian HERMISTON — A two-car collision on High- way 395 outside Herm- iston city limits on Tues- day sent one person to a regional hospital with seri- ous injuries. The incident occurred around noon when a 1996 blue Chevy pickup driven by Albert Russel rear- ended a 1989 Ford pickup containing Zane Riddle and Robert Riddle, accord- ing to Oregon State Police Trooper Sean Carothers. Carothers said the Rid- dles were stopped in the left lane, waiting to make a left- hand turn when they were hit from behind by Rus- sell’s vehicle. Russell was transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center via Life Flight with serious injuries, Caroth- ers said. The Riddles were transported by ambulance to Good Shepherd Health Care System, according to Umatilla Fire District 1. Highway 395 was blocked in both directions for over an hour. Those heading north were redi- rected down Bensel Road. Umatilla Landing Days IT STARTS HERE. HONORING OUR PAST, BUILDING OUR FUTURE. JUNE 21-22 EVENT SCHEDULE AT THE UMATILLA MARINA FOOD & CRAFT VENDORS • BEER GARDEN PARADE • DANCING HORSES • DANCERS KIDS ACTIVITIES & WATER PARK! FRIDAY EVENING Grupo Viajero & KROME Beer Garden Host: The Pheasant Bar & Grill SATURDAY Grupo Viajero Trespasser - 5pm HEADLINER: Leah Justine - 8pm Beer Garden Host: The Rustic Truck Bar & Grill OREGON MANUFACTURERS. LOCAL BUSINESSES. YOUR NEIGHBORS. ALL GETTING MORE FROM THEIR ENERGY. Here in Oregon, thousands of businesses and individuals are saving money with help from Energy Trust of Oregon. With cash incentives for energy improvements, we can help you get more from your energy. + Are you ready to get more from your energy? Visit www.energytrust.org or call us at 1.866.368.7878. Serving customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. TRACCI DIAL PARADE HOST 10:00am Saturday Caballos Bailadores Rancho el Escondite Horse Dancers & Ballet Folklorico Estrella de Mexico Dancers will be in the parade on Saturday and performing in the park right after.