MORNING HEADLINES | The final phase of a project to remove hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic pollutants from the USS Yorktown is set to begin Feb. 24.
“Beginning the final phase of toxic waste removal from the USS Yorktown is critical to protecting the way of life in the Lowcountry,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement.
The project was part of McMaster’s 2022 executive order that directed the S.C. Department of Resilience to begin the process of removing more than 1 million gallons of toxic pollutants from the Yorktown that are at risk of leaking into Charleston Harbor.
The completion of the cleanup is expected to take 10 months and is considered a priority due to continuing corrosion of the Yorktown’s outer hull, according to the state.
“Without removal, this waste seriously threatens Charleston Harbor’s fragile ecosystem and the industries that define it – including commercial shipping and tourism. This undertaking ensures that our coastline remains protected,” the governor said.
The first phase was completed in late 2023 and included an environmental assessment and the removal of 568,800 gallons of oily water, 4.5 tons of asbestos waste and 8.9 tons of sludge and mud. It also included repairs to the ship’s hull.
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