| Former Unocal Marketing Terminal Seattle | |
Seattle Art Museum proposes to complete site cleanup as new owner
Public Comment Period
Oct. 8, 1999 to Nov. 6, 1999
Draft Prospective Purchaser Consent Decree and draft Cleanup Action Plan available for public review
The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has drafted a legal agreement for a final environmental cleanup of the former Unocal Bulk Marketing Terminal site, located at Elliott Avenue and Broad Street near Pier 70 in Seattle, Washington.
The legal agreement, called a Prospective Purchaser Consent Decree (Decree) is between Ecology and the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). The Decree settles any liability, with some exceptions, SAM would have for environmental cleanup at the former Unocal site when SAM purchases the property from Unocal this year. The Decree requires SAM to contribute substantial new resources to facilitate and expedite the cleanup of this site in accordance with the Cleanup Action Plan. SAM proposes to redevelop the site as an outdoor sculpture park.
The Cleanup Action Plan describes the proposed cleanup actions and the work to be performed at the site under the Model Toxics Control Act, Washington’s current hazardous waste cleanup law.
Opportunity to comment
Before the Decree and Cleanup Action Plan become final, we offer you the opportunity to review the documents and give us your input. If, during the comment period, 10 or more people request a public hearing, Ecology will hold one for the purpose of receiving comment on the proposals.
Background
Unocal operated a petroleum bulk storage and distribution facility at this location from 1910 to 1975. Cleanup work began at the site when Ecology and Unocal entered a formal legal agreement called an Order on Consent in late 1988. Since then, Ecology has been overseeing the study and cleanup of petroleum contamination at this site. Ecology and Unocal entered the Order on Consent prior to the passage of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).
The Order on Consent identified four specific areas to be studied and cleaned up: The Upper Yard, Elliot Avenue, Lower Yard, and Off-Site Area. The map insert shows the boundaries for each of these areas.
Since work began, Unocal has treated and/or removed petroleum contaminated soil from both the Upper Yard and Lower Yard areas, extracted petroleum products from recovery wells, installed a soil vapor extraction system to treat soil and groundwater, and continued pumping and treating groundwater.
Current conditions
Upper Yard: Unocal completed treatment in the Upper Yard by excavating and removing approximately 57,000 tons of petroleum contaminated soil. Approximately 110 cubic yards of inaccessible contaminated soil remain from 16 to 26 feet below ground along the northwest boundary with Elliott Avenue. Petroleum was also found floating on the groundwater in one monitoring well at this location.
Elliott Avenue: Petroleum hydrocarbons are present in the soil and groundwater beneath the roadway but are considered inaccessible. Interim remedial actions were performed within the northern portion of the Elliott Avenue area including pumping and treating groundwater and installing a soil vapor extraction system to treat soil and groundwater.
Lower Yard: Unocal excavated to an average depth of 15 to 20 feet below ground surface and removed approximately 60,000 tons of petroleum contaminated soil from the Lower Yard. After back-filling, the Yard was covered with a 2-foot-thick layer of clean soil to serve as an interim "cap" (cover).
Off-Site Area: Petroleum contaminated soils are present across much of the Offsite Area. Petroleum products are still being extracted beneath the area. So far Unocal has removed approximately 4,600 gallons. Last quarter extraction yielded only 8 gallons of product.
Proposed cleanup actions: The following actions are proposed as part of the cleanup and redevelopment in order to eliminate direct contact and vapor exposure to hazardous substances at or from the site, enhance ongoing groundwater cleanup activities, and to protect human health and the environment:
Although not part of the Decree, under its Order on Consent with Ecology, Unocal will continue to remove the floating petroleum by hand bailing from monitoring wells in the area of Elliott Avenue; select a final cleanup action plan in the Off-Site Area; continue to operate the current groundwater collection and treatment system and perform long term groundwater monitoring until Ecology determines that these activities are no longer required.
Redevelopment by SAM
In February 1999, the Seattle Art Museum negotiated an agreement to purchase the former Marketing Terminal from Unocal for use as a future sculpture park. Under the museum’s envisioned plan, the Upper and Lower Yards and a portion of the Off-Site Area would be redeveloped as permanent parkland and open space. A small exhibition building would be developed in conjunction with the park, and would also contain visitor services and educational facilities. In cooperation with the City of Seattle, the park would be redesigned under a master plan that also would address improvements to Myrtle Edwards Park and the Alaskan Way right-of-way.
What happens next
After this public comment period, Ecology will review all the comments submitted and will make recommendations for any suggested changes to the documents. Ecology will then prepare a summary of the comments and suggested changes. If significant changes are made to the Decree or Cleanup Action Plan, there would be a second comment period. If no significant changes are made, then the Decree is recorded in Washington State Superior Court and cleanup action can begin.