Project Chariot, Arctic West Coast

Size 60 people Clients IT Corporation/US Department of Energy     With several critical factors (airstrip usability, water supply, terrain) incompletely known, Taiga sent a mobilization crew to the Arctic West Coast in June to begin ground work for a large scale camp in support of a nuclear waste clean-up project.       Although the project itself was surrounded by dissention and controversy, Taiga was able, in a very short time, to establish a small city with satellite phone service and entertainment dishes, laboratories and medical tents as well as the standard laundry, shower and toilet facilities, sleepers, diners, kitchens, etc.  Taiga also set up bladder and fuel containment systems for fuels and water.  The kitchen staff prepared three meals a day as well as maintaining a 24-hour spike table.  The camp was accessible only by air.  Weather, never known to be especially cooperative in Alaska, proved itself less than hospitable as the camp was battered by winds in excess of 60 mph for a two-week period toward the end of the project.  The camp, however, remained unaffected by the gale.