I don't know much about underwater demolition, but could a diver go down and cut it off just above the bottom rather than trying to pull the whole pipe....????

That would seem like a quick, easy solution.

Once the state gets involved, figure on it taking a long time to get done and it being an expensive process.
SF

They way I see it they have a few options of getting it done.

1. Quick and dirty - Get on a boat with a diver, licensed driller and trash pump. Flush the sediment out of the top of the casing to the level of the river bottom and cut it off. This would be cheap and very little time involved. This would be highly unlikely DOE would be OK with doing this. But if it's hurting people might be a possibility? Again very doubtful this would be acceptable.

2. The right way but far more expensive - bring a barge with a pump truck out there also with a diver. Cruise out there at high tide, wait for low tide. Flush the sediment out of the well, perforate the well and fill with bentonite grout then cut off at the bottom of the river.

………..or just hook a chain around it and then to a D-8 Cat up on the bank and start pulling. The thing's bound to pop loose.

[Bleeeeep!], it's so simple, it's impossible.

I like the "chain and D-8 bit".....how deep can it be??????? Hell, when it was put in......the drilling company shouldn't have had to go that far down to find good water. Its bottom land and not that far from the Chehalis river.

I did call DOE, Friday 10/9/15....was sent to a person who is in charge of "these kind of things"......no answer on phone, went to voice mail......got no call back after a few hours.....so I got his email address, fired off an email, explained problem even sent the picture of the jet boat, with the pipe sticking thru the boat....Got no answer by 5 p.m. Friday...so next week I'll continue to see if I can get a answer from a "tax payer funded" agency......

Perhaps the person was in the field/out of the office that day??

Just say'n.

Regardless, keep at it.

Update....Monday, 10-12-15

Got a return call from contact person at DOE.....they were aware of the problem, Rep. Brian Blake had contacted them, early last week.

At this time, DOE is working with DNR, so it looks like DNR is going to take the "lead" on getting this done.

I fish it this area, LOTS, so I'll know if anything is happening.

The well casing has been cut off, driver went down to do the job. The boat was raised and cabled to the side of the divers barge. The well casing, about 10 feet, was also placed on the barge. The boat was going to be taken to the South Montesano boat launch and then to where I didn't ask.

Enjoy the area......be safe out there....

Thanks for the update. That's good news for those of you who fish that area.

Glad they were able to remove the hazard. Thanks for the image showing how far away this was from the bank.

Have them head up in the Satsop and get that one too.

Hi, I'm with DNR, and we helped remove the boat and well casing on the Chehalis. Could you give me more info about the one on the Satsop? Thanks.

Good stuff!

Matt,
If I remember right it's about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile up river, in a flat, near a pump/gauging station.