A big year for Everett Smelter cleanup

By Meg Bommarito, Everett Smelter Project Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program 



First, we take soil samples

Ecology has a lot of work planned for 2014 in the Everett Smelter cleanup. If you are in the cleanup area, you will definitely see us and construction crews doing a wide variety of work. Read below for details of our work. You can also meet us in person during a public meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, at Snohomish County PUD Auditorium to learn more about what is going on with the cleanup.


Lowlands interim cleanup

We have been putting together a clear picture of where contamination is impacting the lowland site. Arsenic is contaminating deep groundwater, and to find the source of contamination, we are planning to dig up a small area in the Lowlands along East Marine View Drive. Before we do any digging, we are seeking your input on the scope of work for this interim cleanup. A public comment period will run from February 20 to March 24. To learn more, see Lowlands Interim Cleanup. If you have any comments, please send them to Sandra Matthews at Sandra.Matthews.@ecy.wa.gov. 


2014 residential cleanup

The photos at right show examples of the kind work we are doing at residential properties. This year, we will be cleaning up 20 properties on 6th, 7th and 8th streets between Winton and Wayne avenues. We expect cleanup construction will start mid- to late summer. We will keep you posted as more details on the construction schedule become available, at the Residential property cleanup website. 


Then, we dig out the contaminated soil

Residential and park mapping and Sampling

To prepare for future years of cleanup, we are undertaking a large soil sampling effort this summer. We plan to sample over 100 properties, which will allow us to determine which residential properties are cleaned up over the next few years. If your property has been selected to participate in this year’s sampling effort you should have received an access agreement request in the mail in January. We are also sampling the overlook area of American Legion Memorial Park. The rest of the park was sampled in 2012. 

Then, we add good soil and rebuild the area

American Legion Memorial Park cleanup

In November, we will begin removing contaminated soil at the American Legion Memorial Park. This effort will likely continue through April 2015. We will share more information as we move forward with this work. If you have any questions or want more information about the cleanup, please give us a call at 425-446-1024.

Learn more about the work planned for this year at a community meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Snohomish County PUD Auditorium at 2320 California St. in Everett.

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