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Department of Ecology News Release - October 21, 2009
09-252
SPOKANE - The public is invited to comment by Nov. 10, 2009, on a key step being proposed in the cleanup of Chevron Pipe Line Co.’s bulk fuel terminal site in Pasco.
The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is proposing to enter into an agreed order with Chevron and Tidewater Terminal Co. to have them conduct an investigation of contamination at the site.
The 33-acre site, located on the bank of the Snake River, is owned by Northwest Terminalling Co. and operated by Chevron. Tidewater owns pipeline facilities on the site. In the mid-1980s, a leaking pipe caused petroleum to contaminate groundwater monitoring wells and caused a petroleum sheen along the bank of the river.
The company removed pipelines and cleaned up contaminated soil and groundwater.
In 2000, workers discovered another release of gasoline at the Chevron facility. The leak came from a hole in the Tidewater transfer pipeline that moves fuel to Chevron. Tidewater conducted soil and groundwater investigations and cleaned up contaminants.
The agreed order is a legal document that will require Chevron and Tidewater to conduct what’s called a “remedial investigation” to provide updated information about the extent of contamination at the site and how effective cleanup actions have been. The order also requires a feasibility study to identify and evaluate cleanup alternatives.
The bulk fuel plant is near the Lakeview Mobile Home Park, but because the residents are served by the Pasco city drinking water system, their water supply isn’t affected by the contamination. In addition, contamination from the site isn’t moving in the direction of the mobile home park.
Documents can be reviewed through Nov. 10, 2009, at the Department of Ecology’s Spokane office at 4601 N. Monroe St. Call 509-329-3415 for an appointment. Documents also are available at the Mid Columbia Library, 1320 W. Hopkins St. in Pasco.
Questions and comments can go to William Fees, P.E., Wash. Department of Ecology, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99205-1295. Fees’ phone number is 509-329-3589 and e-mail address is wfee461@ecy.wa.gov.
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Media Contact: Jani Gilbert, Communications, 509-329-3495; cell, 509-990-9177; e-mail jani.gilbert@ecy.wa.gov.
For more information: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/chevronPasco/chevPasco_hp.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
