New Database Provides Public Access to Asarco Yard Remediation Info

The Washington Department of Ecology has a new tool for residents of North Tacoma and Ruston to learn about soil contamination from the Asarco Smelter. The Areawide Remediation Environmental Information System (AREIS)

Addresses that were a part of the ARRA Ruston North Tacoma Yard Cleanup Project show a link to a downloadable pdf of the sampling results for that property. Included in those results are a letter stating the concentration levels of arsenic and lead at the time of the sampling, along with a map of the property showing sampling locations, and a detailed chart of contaminant levels at the specific sampling locations. Homes with high levels include letters summarizing the excavation of those properties (or the property owners’ failure to take advantage of remediation efforts).

In the future, AREIS will also have data from Department of Ecology-led cleanup of Asarco contamination. Next steps include loading data from Ecology’s Soil Safety Program, which samples and cleans up play areas at schools, child-care facilities, parks, and camps.

According to the press release, after nearly 20 years of cleaning up the Asarco Superfund site, the EPA is nearly done with yard clean-up. The EPA only cleaned yards with at least 230 parts per million of arsenic. Beginning in 2013, the Washington Department of Ecology will begin offering cleanup for properties that did not qualify for EPA cleanup, but which do have an average of at least 100 ppm arsenic. That cleanup will be paid for out of a $94.6 million settlement with Asarco.

So, how’s your yard doing?

To search for your address, visit the AREIS public portal page. Read the full press release here.