June 17, 2003

Environmental Watch: Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor cleanup delayed

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND -- Chemical and mechanical problems have delayed the steam cleaning pilot project at the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site until this fall, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Last October, EPA started using steam-injection technology to remove wood-treating contaminants from groundwater under the former Wyckoff site. Recently, the concentration and chemical makeup of contaminants caused chemical and mechanical problems, prompting EPA to change steam injection and water treatment systems at the site.

EPA tests showed that pumping large amounts of the chemical naphthalene from groundwater at the site caused problems with seals and gaskets and clogged equipment. EPA is evaluating design changes to treat the groundwater to meet regulatory requirements before the water is released into Eagle Harbor.

After EPA evaluates test results and retrofits steam injection and water treatment plants, steam injection will likely last six to eight months or until extraction volumes are small and no longer cost-effective to pump.

Last day for water meter grants

OLYMPIA -- Today is the last day to apply for state grant funds to help farmers, irrigation districts, small drinking-water systems, businesses and municipalities purchase, install and calibrate install water-measuring devices.

Just $50,000 remains of the Washington Department of Ecology's $3.4 million grant fund. The department has approved 194 requests worth approximately $3.35 million since last March.

The fund has helped pay for about 950 meters and other equipment. Eligible candidates can receive up to $50,000 each.

Company will use ice to clean wells

TACOMA -- The Tacoma City Council last week awarded a $363,600 contract to a company that uses an innovative method to clean wells.

Water Recovery Services, which city officials say is the only Washington company to use a carbon dioxide freezing method to clear wells of iron bacteria, was hired to help rehab groundwater extraction wells at the city landfill.

The company will clean 22 wells to remove iron bacteria deposits from the well and from extracted groundwater discharge lines. City officials say the iron bacteria is harmless but clogs well screens, pumps and discharge lines.

The city must maintain the extraction wells to stay in compliance with a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Ecology to clean up groundwater at the site. The landfill has 35 extraction wells, which collect a total of about 1.7 million gallons of water per day.

Ecology blasted for stormwater rules

OLYMPIA -- The state's Pollution Hearings Control Board accused the Washington Department of Ecology of letting businesses and government essentially police themselves in complying with the state's water quality standards.

Washington's industrial general stormwater permit lasts five years and outlines actions businesses must take to keep pollution out of stormwater runoff. It was revised last August after challenges by the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and five other environmental groups.

The permit requires owners of about 1,300 facilities to sample stormwater discharges and submit results to Ecology. Ecology has said the permit strikes a balance between environmental protection and the needs of business, but environmental groups say it fails to hold permitees accountable for meeting water-quality standards.

The board ruled in favor of the environmental groups in a summary judgement on Ecology's pollution-control deadlines, legal language and issues related to oversight of polluters. Ecology officials said they may appeal the ruling to Superior Court or the state Court of Appeals. Boeing, Snohomish County and the Association of Washington Business, which are also involved, are also considering appeals.

Ecology is trying to reach a settlement before a June 23 hearing, when the board is scheduled to make decisions on eight other issues related to stormwater rules, said spokesperson Leslie Thorpe.

Navy sonar tests concern Locke

OLYMPIA -- Seven porpoises that washed up on Puget Sound coastlines last month prompted Gov. Gary Locke to write a letter to acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hansford T. Johnson expressing concern over a possible connection between marine mammal fatalities and Navy sonar tests.

In the June 6 letter, distributed by the Puget Sound Action Team, Locke noted that orcas and porpoises were spotted fleeing an area where the Naval guided missile destroyer USS Shoup was conducting mid-frequency sonar tests.

Locke pointed out a report by the Navy and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- sparked by beached-whale incidents -- that called for "mitigation measures that will protect [marine] animals to the maximum extent possible and not jeopardize national security." He asked Johnson for a report on how the Navy will mitigate the impact of sonar on marine mammals in Puget Sound.

Hart Crowser promotes Garrett Jackson

SEATTLE -- Environmental and engineering consulting firm Hart Crowser promoted Garrett Jackson to associate geomorphologist. Jackson, who joined years ago, manages the firm's sediment sampling program and Creek Landscape Analysis and Shotgun Cove Road Environmental Assessment projects in Alaska.

Jackson also secured National Environmental Policy Act projects under a contract with the U.S. Forest Service. He has 13 years of experience in geomorphology, specializing in watershed analysis and stream restoration to enhance salmon habitat.

Cities collect 140,000 pounds of hazardous waste

BELLEVUE -- King County cities collected more than 1.25 million pounds of materials including 140,000 pounds of hazardous waste for spring recycling round-ups this year.

Funded in part by the Washington Department of Ecology, the March, April and May drop-offs drew 6,815 area residents who brought motor oil, antifreeze, scrap metal, electronic waste and other recyclable wastes generally not collected through county curbside programs.

Ecology awarded $114,000 in Coordinated Prevention Grants to 14 cities in the past two years to help stage solid-waste collection events. The funds come from a state tax paid by wholesale distributors of petroleum and other hazardous materials under the Toxic Cleanup Act of 1989. Cities provided $37,900 in matching funds. Coordinated Prevention Grants leverage local matching funds to support solid-and moderate-risk waste projects.