Hurricane Ridge Water System Rehabilitation

Olympic National Park » Hurricane Ridge Water System Rehabilitation » Document List

The regulations (36 CFR 800.2(d)) implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) direct federal agencies to seek and consider the view of the public when historic properties are affected by an agency action.

Olympic National Park (OLYM) plans to rehabilitate the water system in the Hurricane Ridge developed area as an undertaking and has defined the undertaking's area of potential effects (APE) as described in Attachment 1 to the memorandum of agreement (MOA). NOTE: Due to the sensitivity of the information included in "Attachment 1," it is not attached for public review.

OLYM has determined that the undertaking may have an adverse effect on two archaeological sites, which are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and has consulted with the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) pursuant to 36 CFR § 800, and the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 306108).

OLYM has also consulted with the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (Tribes), for which the two sites have cultural significance, and has invited the Tribes to sign the MOA as concurring parties. Also, in accordance with 36 CFR § 800.6(a)(1), OLYM has notified the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) of its adverse effect determination with specified documentation and the ACHP has chosen not to participate in the consultation pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.6(a)(1)(iii).

OLYM and SHPO agree that the undertaking shall be implemented in accordance with the stipulations provided within the MOA in order to take into account the effect of the undertaking on historic properties.

The public review period will be open from 10:30am MT on Friday, November 15, 2024 to 11:59pm MT on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

Project Description:

This project would replace approximately 2100 lineal feet of 3" galvanized pipe, 1825 lineal feet of 6" asbestos cement pipe, and 4,100 lineal feet of 2-½" galvanized pipe with hydraulically-modeled and properly sized butt-fused HDPE water line. New electrical conduit and hardwired telemetry would be added to segments of the 36"-wide trench during water line replacement to improve control functionality and allow key water system parameters to be monitored remotely from the Visitor Center vicinity.

The existing 100,000 CIP concrete reservoir would be rehabilitated, including removal of soil from above the tank so that the concrete surface can be cleaned and prepped, and a sealant can be applied to the roof exterior that extends down >6" below the roof-to-wall seam to seal and protect the tank from groundwater infiltration. Tank interior would be sand blasted following any spot repairs and re-coated with an NSF-certified protective coating. Valving would be reconfigured to improve operations and maintenance.

Existing water lines would be removed and new water lines would be installed utilizing the same trench and alignment for approximately 1000 lineal feet below the water storage reservoir to minimize archaeological impacts. New trench alignment would run through the main Hurricane Ridge parking lot instead of through the main meadow to minimize vegetation disturbance and avoid further archaeological impacts. Existing water lines from the water treatment access road out along Hurricane Hill Road would be removed and new water lines would be utilized in the same trench and alignment to serve two comfort stations. Water line would be replaced up to and including individual building or facility shut-off valves and low point drain lines, and water meters would be installed on the service line at each comfort station. The existing elevated valve box and vault located on the north side of Comfort Station #1 (approximate dimensions 28' x 7.5' x 2' using treated wood) would be demolished to eliminate confined space concerns, and the footprint surrounding the new meter vault would be regraded with compacted gravel to match the adjacent asphalt and provide a location for seasonal placement of garbage cans.

Abandoned above-ground infrastructure in the water treatment area would be demolished and removed, including the weather station, 2-½" poly water line, the concrete surface water pump house and associated electrical transformer, and one of two obsolete concrete intake dams constructed near Idaho Springs. Filter sediment placed behind the upper (original) dam would be used to fill holes caused by dam removal and re-contour the area to re-establish the original stream channel; excess material would be used elsewhere for site restoration. The lower (newer) dam would be left partially intact but notched to prevent future buildup of debris and potential catastrophic release. The 10-inch-thick concrete dam would be notched down to half its current height (approximately 24" of the current 48") for a width of at least six feet, to approximately match original stream channel width in this location. Concrete material notched from the dam may remain onsite to weather in place. Both dams shall be dewatered prior to and during any work activity, and no equipment other than hand tools shall be used at the lower dam site to limit impacts to wetland areas. Hand tools at the lower dam site could include power tools and equipment (e.g., concrete cutter, jack hammer, etc.) but excludes heavy power equipment operations. The existing gravel access road would be decommissioned and scarified for NPS revegetation following completion of the project. The area behind the intake dams would be revegetated by the NPS. NPS-approved erosion control measures shall be used onsite during and after all demolition activity.

Archaeological monitoring by the NPS would be required for all ground disturbing activity associated with this project. For a total of ~500' of existing trench, contractor would be required to set aside trench spoils for sifting by archaeologists before replacing or removing spoils from the site. Vegetation removed for trenching through the meadows (~1000' x 36" width) would be removed and set aside in "plugs" to be maintained (via watering) and replaced following pipe bedding, backfill, and compaction.

An above-ground temporary bypass of the tank fill, storage, and distribution lines would be utilized to maintain potable water service for temporary office and restroom trailers throughout the construction period. Sequencing of the project is expected to start with new trench alignment crossing through the main Hurricane Ridge parking lot, followed by replacement of the existing water line (same alignment) out to the comfort stations. Work along Hurricane Hill Road is expected to require an extended seasonal closure (approximately 3-4 weeks) of this segment of road to allow excavation work without traffic control or conflicts with pedestrians. Water storage reservoir rehabilitation and replacement of water line through the meadow is expected to occur in July - September. Demolition of obsolete infrastructure in the water treatment area would be limited to August for work that may require in-water activity to remove obsolete dams. Mitigations may include but are not limited to dewatering impoundments prior to dam removal, using mats under equipment working or traveling across saturated soils, and installing erosion control and filtration BMPs to limit transport of sediment downstream of the site.

Contact Information

For NHPA MOA Questions:
Matt Dubeau
Matthew_Dubeau@nps.gov
360-565-3054