Lake River Industrial Site

Project Background

Pacific Wood Treatment Company In 1963 the Port of Ridgefield leased 40 acres of river front property to Pacific Wood Treating Company (PWT). In 1993, Pacific Wood Treating declared bankruptcy and ceased operations, leaving Lake River Industrial Park severely contaminated with wood treating chemicals: pentachlorophenol, creosote and copper-chromium-arsenate (CCA). In 1995, the Port and Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) reached an agreement to begin cleanup of the site. At the time, it was estimated that the full cleanup of the site would take anywhere between 8 and 10 years at a cost more than $48 million.

The contaminant ‘plume’, created by chemicals seeping into the ground for 30 years, formed in a shallow underground aquifer nearly four acres in size and estimated to contain some 30,000 gallons of wood treating chemicals. The plume threatened a deeper regional aquifer, as well as nearby Carty Lake on the adjoining Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Gee Creek, a salmon/steelhead bearing stream.

Clean Up Method

Vapor Carbon Adsorbers The Port chose to implement an innovative steam enhanced extraction system to remove the plume of contaminants. Steam injection and pumping had shown to be a faster, more effective removal method than the alternative - long-term pump and treat without steam although expensive. However, traditional cold pump and treat was estimated to require over 100 years to complete. Cold pump and treat has the advantage of being cheaper to start, however the long term maintenance and operations costs become costly and in effect unending. With steam enhanced extraction, superheated steam is injected into the ground, heating the contaminant plume to accelerate its removal from the ground via a field of extraction wells. Contaminants and contaminated water are pumped out of the ground and through physical and chemical processes, water is separated from the toxic sludge (NAPL). The chemical contaminants are stored and eventually hauled to a regulated long-term treatment and storage facility. The remaining water undergoes further chemical treatment and filtering to bring it to a potable level, after which it passes through refrigeration to be cooled before being discharged as fresh, clean water into Lake River.

Since April of 2004, the Port of Ridgefield and WDOE have been working with environmental engineers Maul Foster Alongi and other experts to engineer and operate the high-tech, steam enhanced extraction system. Port employees operate and maintain the system around the clock, seven days a week.

Environmental Concerns

Emergency Action - WDOE declared emergency action necessary to remove the risk of environmental exposure resulting from the contaminant plume reaching Carty Lake and Lake River.
Public - There is no immediate threat of human exposure caused by the contaminants at the site.
Chemicals - Pentachlorophenol, Creosote and Copper-Chromium-Arsenate - Long-term exposure to these chemicals may cause serious health problems in humans, fish or other animals.
Lake River - is adjacent to the site and is a tributary to the Columbia River.
Carty Lake & Gee Creek - The Lake, in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge lies directly in the migratory path of the plume. Carty Lake, its associated wetlands and Gee Creek are tributaries to the Columbia River.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - The Refuge is an environmentally sensitive wetland that is a seasonal resting ground for tens of thousands of migratory birds. The refuge is also home to resident wildlife and a natural tourism draw attracting over 100,000 thousand visitors each year.
Salmon - Lake River and Gee Creek are both salmon bearing waterways; endangered species of salmon and steelhead use these two waterways. Should contaminant reach Lake River, Carty Lake or Gee Creek, salmon may be impacted.
Flood Plain - Some contaminated areas of the site are in the Lake River 100-year flood plain.

Clean-up Progress

1995 ~ Removal of above ground treatment chemicals and equipment begins
1996 ~ Demolished tank farm and treatment retorts
1997 ~ Storm water collection & drainage system installed
1998 ~ Removal of above ground treatment chemicals and equipment continues
1999

            Excavation of contaminated soils & placement in treatment cell
            Structure demolition
            Plume characterized
            Installation of steam injection equipment/wells begins

2000 ~ Removal of treating chemicals & equipment completed
100 tons & 165000 gallons of hazardous waste removed
2001 ~ Installation of steam injection equipment/wells continues
2002 ~ Construction of remediation (treatment) system begins
2003 ~ Construction of treatment system continues
2004 ~ Treatment system completed, first steam injection May 4th of 2004
2004-Present ~ Steam injected remediation continues with 2 - 4 years estimated to completion

Regulatory Oversight

The Washington State Department of Ecology has regulatory control of the site. As such, they are the lead regulatory authority and oversee all clean-up activity on site. WDOE has committed 65% of the funds required to remove toxic materials. WDOE is supportive of the Port to using the safe, innovative, state-of-the-art steam enhanced extraction technology.

Economic & Community Development: Brownfield Redevelopment

The Port is working toward redevelopment of the site into a vibrant waterfront area for Ridgefield and the surrounding communities. Port’s Millers’ Landing waterfront development project

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