EPA officially deletes two sites and part of a third from the National Priorities List in Washington
Agency: American Crossarm & Conduit (Chehalis), Northside Landfill (Spokane) and the soils portion of Queen City Farms (Maple Valley) are now officially removed from “Superfund” Site List
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has officially removed two Washington Superfund Sites, and the soils at a third site, from the National Priorities List or Superfund cleanup list. The sites are located in Chehalis, Spokane, and Maple Valley.
“Today’s milestone announcement follows years of intensive cleanup work designed to protect people and the environment near these heavily contaminated sites, ” said Chris Hladick, EPA Northwest Regional Administrator in Seattle. “Declaring these sites ‘deleted’ allows communities and property owners to move forward and consider appropriate re-use or redevelopment options for each parcel. Monitoring will continue at these sites to ensure the cleanups remain intact and continue to be protective.”
Deletion affirms that EPA and the State of Washington agree that no further cleanup is required at these sites. The deletion proposal, made in July 2020, included a 30-day public comment period. A total of five comments were received on the proposed actions at the three sites, mostly in support of the deletions.
The regional deletion announcement was part of a nationwide EPA announcement yesterday that covered 27 sites.
Washington’s Deleted Sites
American Crossarm & Conduit Co. (Listed 1989) -- The site includes the former American Crossarm & Conduit facility in Chehalis, Washington, and nearby areas contaminated with pentachlorophenol from the facility during floods in the mid-1980’s. Contaminated soils were removed from 25-30 homes and a playfield. In addition, most of the soils contaminated by the former wood treatment facility were excavated and hauled to a landfill for hazardous waste. A soil cap was placed over the area to prevent exposure to the soil contamination that remains at the site. Restrictions are in place to maintain the integrity of the cap and minimize exposure to the contamination under the cap. EPA finished cleanup of this site in 1996.
Northside Landfill (Listed 1986) -- The 345-acre site is located in northwestern Spokane, Washington. The City of Spokane established the landfill in 1931. In 1983, hazardous substances were found in groundwater downgradient of the landfill. Under Superfund, area residents were connected to the city water system and a groundwater treatment system was operated between 1993 and 2012. While groundwater meets federal drinking water standards and treatment is no longer needed, groundwater monitoring will continue. As an active landfill, the site will continue to be regulated by state and county agencies. EPA will review the status of the cleanup every five years.
Queen City Farms (Listed 1984) -- The 324-acre site is located on Cedar Grove Road, north of Maple Valley, Washington. Prior to 1986, industrial wastes were dumped in and near three ponds on site. These activities contaminated the soil and groundwater with organic compounds and metals. EPA is proposing to delete only site soils from the NPL. The groundwater cleanup will remain on the NPL and active cleanup will continue. The cleanup of soils at the site was completed in 1997.
EPA encourages site reuse throughout the cleanup process. Deletions from the NPL can help revitalize communities and promote economic growth by signaling to potential developers and financial institutions that cleanup is complete. Over the past several years, the agency has focused on streamlining the deletion process and increasing the number of opportunities to demonstrate to communities that cleanup is complete.
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