HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_ECY_Comment_Letter_202503533
STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
Northwest Region Office
PO Box 330316, Shoreline, WA 98133-9716 • 206-594-0000
September 5, 2025
Valerie Porter, Senior Planner
Planning Division
City of Renton
1055 S Grady Way, 6th Floor
Renton, WA 98057
Re: Monroe Apartments Mixed Use
File# LUA25-000207, Ecology SEPA# 202503533
Dear Valerie Porter:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the State Environmental Policy Act
(SEPA) notice of application utilizing the optional determination of nonsignificance (ODNS/NOA)
process for the Monroe Apartments Mixed Use project. Based on review of the checklist
associated with this project, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) has the following comments:
Section B, Environmental Elements; Subsection 7, Environmental Health.
The proposed project is located on Roy Browns Auto Service site (cleanup site ID 15220, facility
site ID 83912947). The property has been used as a gas station and automotive repair shop
from 1950’s to 1990. Facilities during the operation included three gasoline underground
storage tanks (USTs), one waste oil UST, below-grade hydraulic lift systems, floor drains, paint
booths, and an oil-water separator. The three gasoline USTs were reportedly removed in 1990.
It is not clear if the waste oil UST, the oil-water separator, and the hydraulic lifts are still present
at the property.
Limited soil sampling was conducted around the exterior of the building on the property. A
limited area of heavy-oil impacted soil was found near a catch basin and drain line in the
southwest exterior of the building. Approximately 58 tons of the impacted soil were removed
from this area in 2020. The site has subsequently received a No Further Action (NFA)
determination from Ecology in July 2020. No groundwater was reportedly encountered to a
depth of 30 feet below ground surface.
Valerie Porter
September 5, 2025
Page 2
However, Ecology’s 2020 NFA determination only applies to the heavy oil impacted soil near
the catch basin on the southwest corner of the property. No soil sampling was conducted
within the footprint of the building. In addition, it does not appear to be sufficient soil sampling
conducted near the former fueling system and the oil water separator.
Please update the SEPA checklist with the cleanup site information. Because of the historical
operation on the property, it is possible that contamination and/or underground facilities might
be encountered during excavation. Therefore, Ecology recommends adding the following
information:
• Plans to remove underground facilities and structures if encountered during excavation,
such as USTs, oil-water separators, hydraulic lifts, etc. The plan should include
procedures of proper notification to Ecology and local jurisdictions, soil and/or
groundwater sampling, and reporting. Please refer to Ecology’s underground storage
tank regulation Chapter 173-360A WAC for UST removal requirements.
• Mitigation plans for the management of potential contaminated soil encountered during
excavations. The plan should include the detailed procedure of soil sampling,
containment, and disposal at a permitted facility.
• Mitigation measures to address hazardous waste operations worker training,
health/safety plan, and site control requirements, per Chapter 296-843 WAC.
• If contamination is encountered during the excavation and construction, Ecology
recommends working with us, such as applying into Ecology’s voluntary cleanup
program (VCP), so Ecology can provide technical assistance and guidance on the
contamination cleanup for the project.
Thank you for considering these comments from Ecology. If you have any questions or would
like to respond to these comments, please contact Jing Song from the Toxics Cleanup Program
at (425) 229-2565 or by email at jing.song@ecy.wa.gov.
Sincerely,
Kelli Price
SEPA Coordinator
Sent by email: Valerie Porter, vporter@rentonwa.gov
Uploaded to the City of Renton’s online comment portal
ecc: Jing Song, Ecology