Past its archaeological scare, Beckett enclave nears its new septic system
Kevin Kirkland, left, operator for contractor Pape & Sons Construction of Gig Harbor, and Susan Wright, archaeologist with Wessen & Associates who is monitoring the company’s Beckett Point community septic system and drainfield project, talk near a grinder pump -- like a large garbage disposal -- that was being installed Tuesday near a home on the Discovery Bay enclave. -- Photo by Jeff Chew/Peninsula Daily News
By Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News
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The project was delayed for three months, beginning in June, after Native American remains and artifacts were uncovered.
"It's gonna get done," Jim Parker, PUD general manager, assured Beckett Point residents.
Gig Harbor-based Pape & Sons Construction is racing to wrap up work before winter's high tides and high water flood parts of the work site of the Jefferson County Public Utility District-contracted project.
The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation had stopped the shoreline portion of the project in early June, pending the outcome of an archaeological study.
The PUD was allowed to continue work on the upland drainfield portion of the project.
Work was resumed on the lower portion more than two weeks ago, after the state archaeological office gave the go-ahead.
Installing pumps
The construction company installed one of the last grinder pumps at the east end of Beckett Point Road on Tuesday, and was expected to install the pumps on View Point Lane next week.
The work is the final piece of the septic system, which will ultimately pump wastewater uphill.
"Puget Sound Energy is putting in a three-phase power plant to provide power to the two booster pumps" that will push Beckett Point effluent up to the hilltop drainfield, Parker said.
Parker said that the PUD officials were surprised that the power portion of the project would now cost $100,000, after it was originally estimated at $60,0000.
He said after all the 100 grinder pumps are installed, they then would be connected to homes.
A sewer main line connecting the grinder pumps is already complete along Beckett Road and View Point Lanes, said Parker.
Once the project is finished, Parker said that failing septic systems, which were believed to be polluting shellfish-rich Discovery Bay, can be filled with sand and abandoned.
Gary Wessen, archaeologist with Wessen & Associates of Seattle, said a single partially intact human grave was found, along with a concentration of other disturbed bones, stone tools and shell middens - the remains of ancient beach campfires.
The late prehistoric remains were as old as a few thousand years old, Wessen reported this summer.
In recovering remains and artifacts, Wessen and another archaeologist have been joined at the site by representatives of the Jamestown S'Klallam, Port Gamble S'Klallam and Skokomish tribes.
The study researched the history of Beckett Point, conducted a surface survey and investigated buried deposits from 91 test holes and two backhoe-dug trenches, the report said.
Parker said that about $50,000 has been paid so far to archaeologists.
Parker said that Jefferson County has paid PUD about $30,000 for cost overruns related to the archaeological work. Another $8,000 was billed to the county recently, he said.
After pressing state Department of Ecology officials, Jefferson County Environmental Health Director Mike McNickle secured a $50,000 grant to compensate PUD for archaeological studies and other unforeseen work-delay expenses.
Additional construction and engineering costs to PUD will be figured, once work is completed, Parker said.
About 100 Beckett Point homeowners are paying $28,000 each as their share of the project.
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Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: October 09. 2007 9:00PM