WA Department of Corrections, Washington State Penitentiary Site

Negotiations Begin for an Agreed Order

Negotiations began May 30, 2008 between Ecology and the Washington State Department of Corrections for an Agreed Order. The Order will require the Department of Corrections to conduct a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study at the Washington State Penitentiary site in Walla Walla. The Agreed Order is a legal document issued by Ecology. It formalizes the agreement between Ecology and the Department of Corrections for the necessary investigations at the site. It is anticipated negotiations for the Order will be complete in sixty days.

The Penitentiary used hazardous chemicals in its operations, through dry cleaning, machine repair, metalworking, and refueling activities. Currently, the chemicals of concern are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The purpose of the Remedial Investigation is to gather more information to determine where and how much contamination is present in soil and groundwater. The Feasibility Study will evaluate cleanup alternatives in preparation for a cleanup action.

Agreed Order Comment Period: November 19 through December 22, 2008

For more information contact Sandra Treccani at 509/329-3412 or e-mail at satr461@ecy.wa.gov.