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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDOE update Document 2005 Quendall Terminals Update: Ecology Transfers Cleanup Oversight to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Publication No. 05-09-055 If you have special accommodation needs or require this document in alternative format, please contact Justine Asohmbom at (425) 649-7135 (Voice) or 711 or 1-800-833-6388 (TTY). The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) wants to update you on the status of cleanup activities at the Quendall Terminals site located at 4503 Lake Washington Boulevard, Renton. Comments are not being requested at this time. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takes over lead in overseeing cleanup at Quendall Terminals Ecology has officially transferred oversight responsibilities for cleanup activities at Quendall Terminals to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Why transfer cleanup at the site to EPA? Given the complex nature of the Quendall Terminals site, cleanup will require substantial staff resources and funding. Ecology has been providing oversight for the cleanup of this site under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) since the 1980s. Cleanup actions have not yet been performed. EPA has additional resources to most effectively manage the oversight of this complex cleanup. In addition, current zoning of the properties adjoining this site are planned for a mix of residential and business uses. August 2005 Site documents can be reviewed at the following locations: WA Department of Ecology Northwest Regional Office 3190 160th Avenue SE Bellevue, WA 98008 (425) 649-7190 (Call for an appointment) EPA Contacts: Kevin Rochlin, Project Manager 1200 Sixth Avenue (ECL-111) Seattle, WA 98102 (206) 553-2106 rochlin.kevin@epa.gov Charles Bert Public Involvement Coordinator 300 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102 Lacey, WA 98503 (360) 753-8073 bert.charles@epa.gov Ecology Contacts: Brian Sato, Former Site Manager WA Department of Ecology Toxics Cleanup Program 3190 160th Avenue SE Bellevue, WA 98008 E-mail: bsat461@ecy.wa.gov (425) 649-7265 Justine Asohmbom Public Involvement Coordinator WA Department of Ecology 3190 160th Avenue SE Bellevue, WA 98008 E-mail: juas461@ecy.wa.gov (425) 649-7135 Cleanup alternatives will need to consider future possible uses of the property. What Happens Next? • EPA's site manager will be meeting with Ecology and the responsible parties over the coming months to plan next steps for the project. • A local Information Repository will be established in the project area where citizens can view EPA project documents. • A good way to keep up with EPA’s planned activities is to sign-up to receive future mailings for the site (if you received this update by mail, you will automatically be added to EPA’s list for future mailings). • EPA will continue to update you on the status of the overall cleanup as the process moves along. Site Background Quendall Terminals is a 25 acre property located on the southeastern shore of Lake Washington, in Renton, Washington. The site is located between the former Baxter site to the north and the Barbee Mill site to the south. From 1916 to 1969, the site was operated by Republic Creosote Company, later called Reilly Tar and Chemical Corporation. Reilly manufactured creosote and other tar products at the site. The site was sold in 1971 to Quendall Terminals, a joint venture of J.H. Baxter & Company and Altino Properties, Inc. Since 1971 the property has been used intermittently for fuel storage and as a log sort yard. Soil, ground water, surface water, and lake sediments have been impacted by past use of the Quendall Terminals property. The primary chemicals of concern are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the volatile organic compounds benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX). The upper 15 to 20 feet of the soil throughout the site have been contaminated by coal tar, pitch, creosote, and other tar distillates. Studies indicate that contaminants are also impacting area ground water to the depths of up to 40 to 50 feet. The groundwater in this zone flows to Lake Washington. The same PAH and BTEX compounds detected in site soils and groundwater were detected in the surface water along the shoreline of Lake Washington. Areas of sediment contamination have also been identified offshore from the largest on-site area of contamination and near the former T-pier and dock. In 1993, Ecology negotiated an Agreed Order with Quendall Terminals that agreed to: • Complete a Remedial Investigation to characterize and define the extent of contamination • Complete a Baseline Risk Assessment to characterize potential health threats to humans and the environment; and • Complete a Feasibility Study to develop and evaluate cleanup options. A schedule for completion of this work was developed as part of the Agreed Order. The Remedial Investigation was completed in 1997. 1n 1998, the Agreed Order schedule was amended when the City of Renton and Port Quendall Company, a Vulcan Inc. affiliate, expressed interest in purchasing the Quendall Terminals property. Before the Agreed Order was amended, Ecology held a 30-day comment period from September 30 through October 29, 2002. The City of Renton and Port Quendall Company did not exercise their option to purchase the property. In 2004, Ecology continued negotiations with Quendall Terminals to complete the Risk Assessment and Feasibility Study, pursuant to the Agreed Order. In accordance with the order, Quendall terminals submitted a draft Risk Assessment and Feasibility Study to Ecology. These documents have not yet been finalized under Ecology’s oversight. Future project needs will be determined by EPA. How can you be involved? You can provide valuable local input and knowledge that will be helpful as the cleanup plan is developed and implemented. We encourage you to stay informed and involved by: • Signing up for the mailing list for this site (see contact information for Charles Bert, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, on page one); • Attending future EPA public meetings; • Becoming familiar with the cleanup process by reading fact sheets and other documents as they become available; • Providing feedback through public meetings and comment periods. 3190 160th Avenue SE Bellevue, WA 98008-5452 Quendall Terminals Site: Cleanup Update