LONGVIEW (AP) — State and federal officials have started cleanup and restoration of a site on the Oregon side of the Columbia River that turned into a mooring area for more than two dozen derelict vessels in recent years.

U.S. Coast Guard officials tell The Daily News that the first part of the project that started Thursday near Goble involves removing hazardous substances that include fuel, asbestos, lead paint and household wastes.

Officials say that will take about two weeks, and then the Oregon Department of Lands will remove any remaining vessels and restore the site.

Officials say Clay Jonak and Roger Ison leased the site in August 2012 to restore a former ferry called the River Queen. They brought in an estimated 27 more vessels.

Oregon terminated the lease, and Jonak and Ison had until May 31 to remove the vessels.

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