QUALITY 4 X 4

Environmental cleanup at the Quality 4 X 4 site is complete. In 2023, Ecology determined that no further action is necessary because the cleanup meets state standards.

A comment period was required before we could consider removing the site from the Hazardous Sites List. We held a public comment period from June 29 to July 31, 2023. We received one comment.

After considering the comment, our opinion remains the same--the site is cleaned up, and there is no more cleanup action required. The contamination has been removed and the cleanup complies with the state's cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). 

We are in the process of removing the site from the Hazardous Sites List.

Responsiveness Summary.

The site is a short distance (0.1 mile) north of Hwy 101 on the east side of Port Angeles. The site is on a property that is a little over 0.4 acres in an area of mixed commercial and residential development.

Since the 1970s, the building on the property was used as an automotive repair and machine shop. The machine shop closed in 2012 and the auto repair work stopped in 2017. Since 2021, it has been an auto parts store.

There was an oil-filled dip tank located outside, along the east side of the building. The soil contamination was likely due to improper handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals in the tank. 

Soil contaminants needed to be addressed by the state's cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). Contaminants included:

• Diesel and heavy oil.
• Lead and cadmium metal. 

Soil: In total, the owner excavated about 8.4 tons of contaminated soil from a trench in an area along the east side of the building. The soil was excavated to a depth of about 2.5 feet. The contaminated soil was removed off-site and taken to a permitted landfill. After removal of the contaminated soil, testing confirmed the excavation met cleanup standards. 

Groundwater: Groundwater is not a concern at the site. After removal of contaminated soil, there is no pathway for groundwater to contact contamination. The groundwater table at the site is estimated to be nearly 50 feet below the surface, well below the area of contamination. The location of the site is outside any known municipal drinking water wellhead protection zone.