Tacoma Smelter Plume: Public meetings focus on next phase of sampling, soil replacement work

Contractors meet with staff to review plans for soil replacement 

on a residential yard.

By Jill Reitz, Environmental Planner, Toxics Cleanup Program 

This summer, Ecology will continue a multi-year project to replace soil on yards contaminated decades ago by pollution from an old copper smelter in Ruston. This year, we will dig up, remove and replace soil at about 80 north Tacoma yards.

The former Asarco Company smelter released air pollution for almost 100 years, which settled on the surface soil over more than 1,000 square miles in Pierce, King and Thurston Counties. Arsenic, lead and other heavy metals are still in the soil in the area now known as the Tacoma Smelter Plume.

Three upcoming meetings will focus on yard sampling and replacement, cleanup at parks and childcare facilities, technical assistance, and continuing outreach and education in the Tacoma Smelter Plume.

Public Meetings

• Monday, May 23 - 6:30-8 p.m., Professional Development Center (Quad Room), 6501 N. 23rd St., Tacoma 
• Tuesday, May 24 - 6:30-8 p.m., Point Defiance Elementary School (cafeteria), 4330 N. Visscher St., Tacoma 
• Tuesday, June 14 - 7-8:30 p.m., McMurray Middle School (cafeteria), 9329 SW Cemetery Road, Vashon 

Questions?

Please visit https://dirtalert.info/resources/ or call the Tacoma Smelter Plume project line at (360) 407-7688, press 2.