On December 21, 2006, the Keeper of the National Register determined that the Hanford Construction Camp Burn Pits (Waste Site 600-202) was eligible for listing in the National register of Historic Places. In reaching this determination, the Keeper noted that “the site is associated with a significant theme in 20th century American history, the Manhattan Project.” The determination also noted that the site was eligible for listing under Criterion D “for its potential to provide information otherwise unrepresented about the people who lived and worked at the Hanford Construction Camp during its period of significance – 1943-1946 – and about World War II-era culture and consumer culture and behavior.” The Hanford Trailer Camp Landfill (Waste Site 600-109) is a sister facility located at the opposite (i.e., northwest) end of the Construction Camp. It was in operation from 1943 to 1945. It shares, therefore, the association with the Manhattan Project and an equal potential to yield information “otherwise unrepresented.”
WCH, under the direction of the U.S. Department of Energy and in agreement with the Washington State Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will conduct historic-archaeological investigations at these two locations prior to beginning remedial actions. Research topics include: Worker Lifeways (i.e., social history); Waste Management; Recycling; and Chronology. A report documenting the results of the investigations will be written following the completion of fieldwork.
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