Cleaning Up: Snohomish spill site now preserved for farmland

The former RiverBend property is preserved for farming. (Forterra photo)

For years, the site of a past fuel spill carried the stigma of contamination.

Now, thanks to the Forterra conservation group and our Toxics Cleanup Program's Bellevue-based staff, the Snohomish County property is considered cleaned up and classified as preserved for farming.

An accident, then contamination

The 140-acre RiverBend Investment Co. site is located at 4304 State Route 530 NE in the Arlington area. In July 1992, a truck towing a tractor had an accident while traveling on Highway 530 near the property. The tractor ended up on its side near a driveway at the property.

The tractor spilled about 100 gallons of diesel fuel within about 30 feet of the Stillaguamish River. The responsible party cleaned up about 20 cubic yards of contaminated soil -- but the soil was stockpiled at the property.

Then in 2004, some leaking underground storage tanks were found on the property. They were dug and removed, along with 40 cubic yards of contaminated soil. But that soil was stockpiled too.

Digging into the past

The property changed owners a few times, and there was no clear record of what happened to the stockpiled soils. Eventually, a new owner contacted the Toxics Cleanup Program to find out if the site needed further cleanup before the property could be sold.

Dale Myers, a site manager in our Bellevue office, worked with the owner to determine the site's condition. A couple of dozen soil samples and samples from two groundwater wells showed no detectable levels of contamination. We issued a "no further action" (NFA) finding, meaning the site is now considered to be cleaned up.

The owner then sold the property to Forterra so the organization could maintain the land for farming instead of developing it for housing or other uses.

A 'community win'

Media reports focused on the successful preservation effort, including this TV news broadcast and this newspaper story. 

Michelle Connor, Forterra executive vice president, wrote to thank our staff for their part: "I wanted to extend deep appreciation from the entire team at Forterra for Department of Ecology’s efforts to assist us in working through the cleanup and technical work needed to receive an NFA letter related to an historic 140-acre farm near Arlington. ... Department of Ecology played a critical role in this community win."

This is just one example of how a site that's thought to be contaminated can find new life through the cleanup process.


By Seth Preston, Toxics Cleanup Program communications manager

Fecal Matters: Padden Lagoon and south Boulevard Park beaches in Bellingham CLOSED to water contact recreation, Whatcom County

BEACH Program Update


On February 22, 2016, a water contact closure was issued for the Padden Creek Lagoon and South Boulevard Park beaches in Bellingham.  The closure is due to a raw sewage discharge to Padden Creek.  These beaches will remain closed to water contact recreation until further notice.       

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on Facebook, checking beach status on Coastal Atlas, or joining our listserv. Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at dsar461@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

---

Fecal Matters: No Swimming Advisories for Sinclair Inlet, Port Washington Narrows and Liberty Bay in Kitsap County

BEACH Program Update


On January 21, 2016 Kitsap Public Health District issued a no-contact advisory for Sinclair Inlet, Port Washington Narrows and Liberty Bay through Wednesday, January 27th.  The no contact advisories were issued due to sewer and stormwater overflows.  The public is advised to avoid contact with the water in these areas.   

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on Facebook, checking beach status on Coastal Atlas, or joining our listserv. Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at dsar461@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

---

Fecal Matters: Alki beach closed to swimming, Seattle, King County

BEACH Program Update


On January 21, 2016, Alki Beach Park in Seattle, King County was CLOSED to swimming due to a sewage leak in the Alki beach area. Repair of the leak is in process and the beach will be sampled for bacteria levels.  This beach will remain closed to water contact recreation until further notice.     

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on Facebook, checking beach status on Coastal Atlas, or joining our listserv. Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at dsar461@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

---

Fecal Matters: Beaches around Cap Sante Marina CLOSED to water contact recreation, Anacortes, Skagit County

BEACH Program Update

On November 17, 2015 Skagit County Public Health Department issued a "No Water Contact" health advisory for beaches around Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes.  Due to heavy rains a manhole cover is discharging sewage to the area around the marina.  The public is advised to avoid any contact with the water until further notice.

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on our blog Fecal Matters, on Facebook, or join our listserv.

Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at 360-407-6139 or debby.sargeant@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

---

Fecal Matters: Bayview State Park CLOSED to swimming, Skagit County

BEACH Program Update

As of July 15, 2015 Bayview State Park beach in Skagit County is closed to swimming due to high bacteria levels.  This beach will be resampled to determine if water quality is safe for swimming.  Until then, the public is to have no contact with the water until further notice.

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on our blog Fecal Matters, on Facebook, or join our listserv.

Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at 360-407-6139 or debby.sargeant@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

---

Fecal Matters: Swimming Advisory issued for Bayview State Park beach, Skagit County, WA.

BEACH Program Update

A no contact advisory was issued for Bayview State Park beach on June 20, 2014.  The advisory was issued due to high fecal bacteria levels at the beach.  Skagit County Beachwatchers will resample this beach next week. This advisory will be in effect until further notice.

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on Facebook, checking beach status on Coastal Atlas, or joining our listserv. Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at debby.sargeant@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

---

Fecal Matters: Howarth and South Terminal Park beaches OPEN, Everett, Snohomish Co, WA.

BEACH Program Update

The City of Everett in Snohomish County removed the no contact advisory signs at Howarth Park and South Terminal Park beaches today February 17, 2014.  The previous swimming closure was posted on February 16, 2014. 

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on our blog Fecal Matters, on Facebook, or join our listserv.

Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at 360-407-6139 or debby.sargeant@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

Fecal Matters: Swimming closure for Howarth Park and South Terminal beaches in Everett, Snohomish Co, WA.

BEACH Program Update

On February 16, 2014, the City of Everett in Snohomish County closed the beaches at Howarth Park and South Terminal Park to swimming.  The City will be taking water quality samples today to determine when the beaches can be reopened.  The swimming closure was issued in response to a sewage spill at the Everett sewage treatment plant.  The public is to have no contact with the water until further notice.

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on our blog Fecal Matters, on Facebook, or join our listserv.

Debby Sargeant is the BEACH Program Manager and is available at 360-407-6139 or debby.sargeant@ecy.wa.gov for questions.

---