MISSION, Ore. – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) Planning Department has started a significant cleanup effort at Johnley Pond and its surrounding area.
Located north of the Umatilla River, Johnley Pond is an old rock quarry that has become an illegal dumping ground and party site. The area has also been used as a shooting range, including by the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, according to Brian Fullen, an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist with the tribes.
The cleanup initiative was prompted by the discovery of a Ford F-150 truck submerged in the pond around Halloween. The truck was leaking gas, oil and other fluids into the water, raising environmental concerns.
The cleanup project is expected to be a lengthy process, potentially taking months or even years to complete.
