News Release

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Aug. 16, 2000

00-163

Ecology Department seeks to improve toxic-cleanup standards

OLYMPIA - The state of Washington is taking another step forward in its efforts to clean up toxic contamination and restore properties for new development.

The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is proposing changes to state regulations that contain standards and cleanup levels for toxic contamination. Beginning today, the public has 30 days in which to comment on the proposed changes, either in writing or at one of two public hearings (see locations below).

The cleanup regulations were first adopted in 1991 to implement the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), which was passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1988. The law created a program within Ecology dedicated to cleaning up air, land and water resources that have been contaminated with toxic wastes.

Since the law took effect, Ecology has been involved in cleaning up 6,700 toxic sites. In addition to reducing the risk of toxic exposure for humans and the environment, the cleanups have made many of the sites safe for other industrial uses.

Ecology worked on the proposed regulatory changes for five years, involving businesses, environmental groups, and a legislatively appointed advisory committee. The amendments will make the regulations easier to understand, consistent with new scientific information, and representative of agency policies.

"Through the MTCA initiative, our citizens directed their state government to protect them from toxic contamination," said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons. "This rule revision keeps faith with our citizens by improving cleanup standards and continuing our forward progress in cleaning up toxic sites."

The amendments incorporate increased knowledge about how toxic chemicals react in the environment. They also provide more flexibility for making site-specific cleanup decisions and, for the first time, include specific methods for evaluating potential effects on plants and land animals.

The changes take into account economic and new scientific information that will provide a greater array of choices to those cleaning up contaminated sites, while maintaining the same or better level of protectiveness as before.

"Over time, cleanup technology has improved and costs have gone down," said Curtis Dahlgren of Ecology's toxics-cleanup program. "That means we can do a better job of cleaning up contamination and often do it more cost-effectively than in the past. That's good for communities, businesses and the environment."

Fitzsimmons noted that his agency also has made significant progress to reduce toxic discharges, emissions and leaks that create contaminated sites. For example, hazardous-waste discharges have been reduced by at least 90 million pounds since 1992.

In addition, Ecology will soon unveil a strategy for reducing exposure to long-lasting toxic chemicals that are known to build up in the bodies of humans and animals.

"Our citizens have an inalienable right to a safe and healthy environment," said Fitzsimmons. "We've made a lot of progress, but we still have a long way to go."

Ecology has scheduled two public hearings on the proposed changes to the MTCA regulations. Both hearings start at 6 p.m.:

Seattle Sept. 6
Mountaineers Building
Pinnacle Room
300 Third Ave. W.

Spokane Sept. 7
Department of Ecology
Eastern Regional Office
Second-floor conference room
N. 4601 Monroe St., Suite 100

The comment period will close on Sept. 15. Written comments can be mailed to the Department of Ecology, Toxics Cleanup Program, ATTN: Trish Akana, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7600, faxed to 360-407-7154, or e-mailed to taka461@ecy.wa.gov. An electronic comment form can be found at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/regs/rule/rule_com.html. (Link removed 01/02/04.)

Media contact: Caitlin Cormier, public information officer, 360-407-6149; pager, 360-971-5536

For more information: Department of Ecology Web site - http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/cleanup.html