After four years of consistently strong effort by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge managers, a new environmentally friendly solid waste facility in the Swanson River Oil & Gas Field became operational on September 1, 2008. 

The facility was constructed with a concrete floor incorporating a double liner beneath it with special monitoring tubes to detect leaks out and between the liners.  With four foot high concrete walls and a thick vinyl cover on the exterior, the design keeps out liquids created by precipitation and protects wildlife from accidentally entering.  For added protection, both ends of the facility are enclosed with small-mesh chainlink fencing and gates. 

This new facility stores non-regulated solid hazardous waste material associated with drilling and production until there is enough material to grind and inject it safely below ground.  The formerly used old solid waste facility was basically a lined pit which will be renovated next year to a "clean closure" operation which will also incorporate grind and inject below ground disposal.  Analytical testing of soil, ground water. and water wells will continue for both the new and old facilities to ensure the environmental effectiveness of the project.