RICHLAND, Wash. – EM’s Richland Operations Office (RL) and contractor Washington Closure Hanford (WCH) have cleaned, filled, and planted vegetation over hundreds of formers waste sites along the Columbia River in the past decade. 

   RL and WCH recently finished backfilling more than 3 million tons of clean material to complete cleanup near three former plutonium production reactors. The most recent projects included the D, DR, and H reactor areas and includes converting a gravel pit into a wetland area.    

   Workers have finished the annual restoration and planting season that started in November 2015. They planted nearly 250 acres with 130,000 shrubs and approximately 7,000 pounds of native seeds — another visible sign of cleanup progress along the river that runs through the 580-square-mile site. Since 2005, the team has planted 2,150 acres with more than 1 million shrubs, 56,000 pounds of seed, and 4,000 trees. WCH also found a way to make backfilled areas look more natural, while also reducing project costs.

   “As part of restoration and planting efforts, we incorporated recontouring, which included placement of boulders and other natural materials, to provide a dynamic ecosystem for wildlife habitat,” said Jeff Lerch, WCH environmental manager. “By doing so, we were able to promote a more natural looking and sustainable habitat for wildlife and save taxpayer money.”

   At the N Reactor Area, the team reduced the amount of backfill material needed by not filling excavations to the surface of the surrounding landscape. By contouring these locations, the restoration left the area looking more natural in appearance with valuable habitat for wildlife. This approach, used at many large areas that were revegetated, has benefited birds and other animals.  

   “I’m extremely proud of our team and the work they have done to restore the environment along the river,” said Lerch. “I grew up in this community and I am honored to have been a part of the team that is restoring the area along the Columbia River so that it can be enjoyed and used safely by future generations.”