Everett Smelter Site “Lowlands” Cleanups Proposed

Everett, WA – A proposed cleanup plan to address more of the historic pollution from the former Everett Smelter is ready for public review and comment. The plan covers the “Lowlands” portion of the cleanup site, along the Snohomish River.

Parts of northern Everett were polluted by the former smelter’s emissions and its demolition about a century ago.

The Washington Department of Ecology seeks public comments on the draft cleanup action plan for the Lowlands and related materials through Sept. 20, 2016. Ecology will review all comments before finalizing the plan.

Lowlands

The proposed cleanup plan covers 15 locations within the Everett Smelter Lowlands, a 230-acre, mainly industrial area between East Marine View Drive and the riverbank. Parts of the Lowlands were polluted with arsenic, lead, and other metals from the smelter operation, which was located at what is now the intersection of North Broadway and East Marine View Drive.

Ecology drew from two reports – the Supplemental Remedial Investigation and a Feasibility Study to select the cleanup technologies. More than one technology will be used at some of the locations:

·       Removal of contaminated material at two locations by excavation to be treated or disposed of at an approved facility.

·       Capping contaminated soil at six locations to prevent the spread of pollutants by blocking stormwater from entering contaminated soil.

·       On-site treatment at one location, where chemicals injected into the groundwater will combine with the arsenic and prevent it from migrating to the river.

·       Property use restrictions at two locations, where contaminated soil should be left undisturbed, including fencing, permit requirements and zoning regulations that will prevent people’s exposure to soil.

·       Drain pipe repair or removal at one location will prevent potential contamination from entering the river.

·       Monitored natural attenuation – to be used at five locations – will use water sampling to confirm that contaminants are breaking down through natural processes.

All sites will be monitored after their cleanup actions to confirm that the cleanup remains effective.

Uplands

The “Uplands” portion of the site comprises about 215 acres in the city’s mainly residential northern peninsula, where soil contamination from arsenic, lead and other metals was first detected in 1990. Uplands residential and park cleanups are complete, underway or in planning.

Information, comments

With the draft cleanup plan, Ecology seeks comment on two other items:

·       Public participation plan. It outlines how people can continue to be informed and involved in the cleanup process.

·       State Environmental Policy Act checklist and Determination of Non-significance. These explain why Ecology believes the cleanup actions do not require an environmental impact statement.

All of these materials are available at:

·       Ecology’s website

·       Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave.

·       Ecology’s regional office, 3190 160^th Ave. SE in Bellevue; by appointment: 425-649-7190

Written comments may be sent to Sandra Matthews, site manager, at: sandra.matthews@ecy.wa.gov

Information Provided and Written By Krista Kenner, Ecology communications. Press memo dated 8/22/16