Findings of Fact, Site Location, and Information on Curlew Gap Filler Annex, based on information provided by US Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) document F10WA0270 of 1990

Site Location

On Bodie Mtn, App. 29 miles north of Republic and southwest of Curlew Lake and the town of Curlew, Ferry County, WA

Site History and Findings of Fact

Property for the operations area and water supply consisted of 121.14 acres, acquired through a nontransferable use permit on April 1950 from the Forest Service. Cantonment, family housing, water supply, and sewage disposal areas consisted of 40.72 acres and were acquired by lease from private landowners in 1950-52. The government purchased this and additional property via fee and easement titles in 1956, plus other additional use permits, leases, and fee titles from Ferry County and private landowners.

The Air Force hired Morris Knudson Contractors in 1950 to construct the 638th AC&W Squadron. The 638th was operational until deactivation in 1960, when all removable property situated on the Forest Service and BLM lands was conveyed to Ferry County for offsite removal. It was stipulated that the County restore these lands to a state satisfactory to BLM and the Forest Service, which was done. Permits were then terminated or reassigned to the County in December 1962. GSA quitclaimed 48.08 acres to a private owner in April 1961.

The former operations area remains part of the Colville National Forest, and all operations area structures have been demolished, with the debris either hauled away or dispersed over the site. The cantonment and family housing areas stood unused until obtained by the Job Corps in February 1965. The Curlew Civilian Conservation Corps currently uses the site, having utilized and remodeled all remaining DOD buildings in the former cantonment area. The Forest Service and Ferry County maintain road access to all areas.

Site Map

No maps or photos are included in the report