The USS Yorktown, a famous warship turned museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has been undergoing an important environmental cleanup for several years. The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) recently announced that more than one million gallons of hazardous pollutants have been removed from the ship, with the cleanup project entering its final months.
How the Cleanup Is Happening
Since February, the second phase of the cleanup has focused on safely removing dangerous liquids from the ship’s tanks. So far, this phase has collected over 796,000 gallons of contaminated water and more than 4,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil. To handle these pollutants, SCOR uses a filtration process that separates the oil from the water. Both liquids are then sent to special disposal sites for further treatment, making sure nothing harmful is released into the environment.
Team Effort to Protect the Environment
This major achievement is thanks to the hard work of SCOR’s Mitigation team and their partners, including the Patriots Point Development Authority, Research Planning Inc., HEPACO LLC, and several subcontractors. An SCOR spokesperson expressed pride in the project’s progress, noting that removing the pollutants protects the local ecosystem and economy, especially the Charleston area.
Background of the Cleanup Project
The USS Yorktown was given to South Carolina by the U.S. Navy in 1975 to serve as a museum. However, toxic waste was left inside the ship’s tanks at that time. Almost 50 years later, concerns about these pollutants led to the start of a new cleanup effort. In July 2022, Governor McMaster issued an order for SCOR to begin removing the toxic materials. This decision came after a study on the costs involved and showed the importance of fixing the problem quickly.
Funding and Importance of the Project
The cleanup is expected to cost nearly $30 million and is mostly paid for through the American Rescue Plan. It is a top priority because if the toxic waste leaked into the harbor, it could cause serious harm to the environment. Protecting the Lowcountry’s waters and wildlife is very important for the safety and health of people living in and visiting the area.
The cleanup of the USS Yorktown is a crucial project for South Carolina’s coast. Removing over one million gallons of toxic waste has greatly reduced the chance of pollution in Charleston harbor. The hard work of SCOR and its partners shows a strong commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the local economy. As the cleanup finishes, the community can look forward to a cleaner and safer future.
