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Department of Ecology News Release - Dec. 28, 2000
00-244
SPOKANE - The formidable task of cleaning up contamination from leaking underground storage tanks at the former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers motor pool in Walla Walla has been completed, according to the state Department of Ecology (Ecology).
Ecology is now proposing to remove the site from the state's hazardous sites list. The department believes the site is no longer a threat to the health of nearby neighbors or to the environment.
The public can review Ecology's proposal and submit comments until Jan. 18, 2001.
Three leaking petroleum tanks contaminated the motor pool site, which is located at the Walla Walla Regional Airport. Cleanup has taken eight years. Being taken off the list means that the cleanup activities that occurred at the site have satisfied the requirements of the state's Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).
MTCA is an initiative that was approved by voters in 1988 to require that cleanup costs be borne by those who are responsible for the pollution. That law obliges responsible parties to clean up contaminated sites in a timely manner and to comply with specific standards.
The contamination at the Corps of Engineers motor pool was discovered as the three tanks were being removed from service and decommissioned. Chemicals associated with petroleum products were discovered in the soil and in the underground water near the tanks.
Approximately 2,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated over the years. Contamination did not travel down to the deeper pool of underground water, although researchers found chemicals in the upper underground pool. The water at that level is not used as drinking water.
Members of the public can look at the final cleanup reports and Ecology's proposal to remove the site from the hazardous sites list at Ecology's Spokane office. Call 509-456-2751 for details.
Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, 509-456-4464; pager, 509-622-1289Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
