PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is taking action to clean up contaminated areas at Bradford Island, part of Bonneville Dam, including a former pistol range and landfill.
The Corps has awarded a $7.4 million contract to begin the cleanup, which is part of a larger plan to address contamination at the site.
“The contract marks a significant milestone in efforts to protect human health and the environment,” said project manager Meghan Broomell.
Contractors will focus cleanup on the Upland Operable Unit, which is a portion of the larger Bradford Island cleanup site. Work will begin in summer 2026, when contractors will remove contaminated soils and debris and transport it to off-site landfills certified to handle contaminated waste. Additional work includes stabilizing riverbanks, restoring the site with clean soil or other suitable material.
USACE continues to investigate to determine what cleanup actions are needed for the entire site.
“We are committed to following a thorough, science-based process that ensures meaningful progress on this site,” said Broomell.
Input from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state agencies, tribal nations, and local communities has shaped the cleanup approach. USACE will continue to work with parties to ensure the cleanup meets community priorities and government requirements and determine what additional cleanup actions are needed.
“We are pleased that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking a much-needed step toward removing a large amount of contaminated material in the upland portion of the site,” said Rich Francis, EPA project manager for the Bradford Island Superfund site. “While there is still much work to be done, we look forward to continuing our partnership with federal agencies, the states of Oregon and Washington, and affected Tribes to protect people’s health and the environment.”
BACKGROUND
Between 1938 and 1982, the Corps used Bradford Island to support projects at Bonneville Dam, including chemical storage, equipment storage, and hazardous waste disposal. The Corps also operated a pistol range area upland of the river and disposed of light bulbs and electrical equipment in the “uplands” (upriver and lands along the river) and in the river.
As a result, in March 2022 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency listed Bradford Island on the National Priorities List, which prioritizes cleanup due to known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
For more information on the Bradford Island cleanup, visit: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Columbia-River/Bradford-Island/