Holly Street Landfill
Facility Site ID:
2925
Cleanup Site ID:
253
Current Status: Document Ready For Public Review
Last Updated: May 2024
Información en español
2024 Fact Sheet
Ecology invites you to review a report evaluating the completed cleanup of the Holly Street Landfill site (Site) near the Bellingham waterfront.
We prepared the report to determine if the cleanup, completed by the City of Bellingham (City) in 2005, still protects human health and the environment.
The cleanup evaluation report concludes that more information is needed:
Información en español
2024 Fact Sheet
Ecology invites you to review a report evaluating the completed cleanup of the Holly Street Landfill site (Site) near the Bellingham waterfront.
We prepared the report to determine if the cleanup, completed by the City of Bellingham (City) in 2005, still protects human health and the environment.
The cleanup evaluation report concludes that more information is needed:
- Monitoring to assess the current quality of groundwater seeps discharging to Whatcom Creek
- Conducting a climate change vulnerability assessment
- Investigating the source of contamination in Whatcom Creek bank sediment next to the Site
What Happens Next?
Ecology will consider all comments received during this public comment period. If the cleanup evaluation report requires significant changes, we will hold another public comment period. If no significant changes are made, Ecology will finalize the report. The timeline to finalize the report and gather additional information is outlined below:
- June 3 - July 3, 2024: Public comment period on the cleanup evaluation report.
- Fall 2024: Ecology finalizes the report.
- 2025 - 2027: Ecology works with the City to gather more information as identified in the report.
Sign Up For Updates!
Join our email list to receive updates about the Holly Street Landfill cleanup site. Email Kristen Forkeutis, Public Involvement Coordinator, at Kristen.Forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov to be added to the list. Unsubscribe at any time.
General Cleanup Process
The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is Washington’s environmental cleanup law. It provides requirements for contaminated site cleanup and sets standards that protect human health and the environment. Ecology enacts the MTCA and oversees cleanups.
The MTCA site cleanup process is completed in steps (see graphic) over a variable timeline.
The MTCA site cleanup process is completed in steps (see graphic) over a variable timeline.
Site Information
Site Background
In the late 1800s, the Site location was part of the original Whatcom Creek estuary and mudflat. Around 1905, private property owners began filling the estuary with dredge spoils and other materials to increase useable upland areas. From 1937 to 1953, municipal waste was also used by private property owners to fill tidelands to increase usable upland areas.
Waste disposed at the Site included glass, concrete, household debris, metal scrap, soil, coal slag, ashes, and woody debris, consistent with municipal waste disposal practices of the time. The waste materials are currently covered by soil, gravel, buildings, building foundations and pavement.
Site Description
The Site is a former solid waste landfill located at 600 W Holly Street, in the Old Town district of the City of Bellingham, Washington. The 13-acre Site is covered by soil, gravel, buildings, building foundations and pavement. The Site is separated by Whatcom Creek with about 9 acres on the northwest side of the creek and 4 acres on the southeast side.
The City owns about 8 acres of the 13-acre Site. Various private entities own the rest of the Site.
2005 Cleanup
The City cleaned up the Site in 2005 while under a legal agreement with Ecology. They addressed solid waste, methane production, and contaminant impacts to Whatcom Creek. The cleanup included:
Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot
The Holly Street Landfill site is one of 12 Bellingham Bay Cleanup sites coordinated through the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot. The Pilot is a bay-wide multi-agency effort to clean up contamination, control pollution sources and restore habitat, with consideration for land and water uses. In 2000, participants in this initiative developed the Bellingham Bay Comprehensive Strategy.
In the late 1800s, the Site location was part of the original Whatcom Creek estuary and mudflat. Around 1905, private property owners began filling the estuary with dredge spoils and other materials to increase useable upland areas. From 1937 to 1953, municipal waste was also used by private property owners to fill tidelands to increase usable upland areas.
Waste disposed at the Site included glass, concrete, household debris, metal scrap, soil, coal slag, ashes, and woody debris, consistent with municipal waste disposal practices of the time. The waste materials are currently covered by soil, gravel, buildings, building foundations and pavement.
Site Description
The Site is a former solid waste landfill located at 600 W Holly Street, in the Old Town district of the City of Bellingham, Washington. The 13-acre Site is covered by soil, gravel, buildings, building foundations and pavement. The Site is separated by Whatcom Creek with about 9 acres on the northwest side of the creek and 4 acres on the southeast side.
The City owns about 8 acres of the 13-acre Site. Various private entities own the rest of the Site.
2005 Cleanup
The City cleaned up the Site in 2005 while under a legal agreement with Ecology. They addressed solid waste, methane production, and contaminant impacts to Whatcom Creek. The cleanup included:
- Maintaining a minimum 2-foot thick cover over the Site to physically isolate the solid waste. The cover is currently comprised of soil, gravel, buildings, building foundations and pavement.
- Placing material along the southern shoreline to stabilize the bank.
- Addressing methane issues when constructing buildings in the area of the Site located on the southeast side of Whatcom Creek.
- Removing refuse along the northern shoreline of Whatcom Creek and placing an engineered cap to control releases of copper and zinc to Whatcom Creek.
- Monitoring groundwater seeps discharging to Whatcom Creek to assess the effectiveness of the cleanup.
- Implementing restrictive covenants covering 34 tax parcels. These covenants contain restrictions and prohibitions to protect the integrity of the cleanup in the long-term.
Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot
The Holly Street Landfill site is one of 12 Bellingham Bay Cleanup sites coordinated through the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot. The Pilot is a bay-wide multi-agency effort to clean up contamination, control pollution sources and restore habitat, with consideration for land and water uses. In 2000, participants in this initiative developed the Bellingham Bay Comprehensive Strategy.
Translated Content
En español
El Departamento de Ecología le invita a revisor los documentos para el sitio que está contaminado Holly Street Landfill en Bellingham. Si le gustaría recibir este documento en español, por favor llame a 425-240-4353 y espere a que un intérprete se una a la llamada o envíe un correo electrónico a preguntas@ecy.wa.gov. Traducciones de avisos públicos para los sitios de limpieza de la Bahía de Bellingham se preparan bajo solicitud.
El Departamento de Ecología le invita a revisor los documentos para el sitio que está contaminado Holly Street Landfill en Bellingham. Si le gustaría recibir este documento en español, por favor llame a 425-240-4353 y espere a que un intérprete se una a la llamada o envíe un correo electrónico a preguntas@ecy.wa.gov. Traducciones de avisos públicos para los sitios de limpieza de la Bahía de Bellingham se preparan bajo solicitud.
Related Documents
Site use restrictions called institutional controls are in effect
Institutional controls can be fences, signs, or restrictions on how the property is used. For instance, an institutional control may prohibit installing drinking water wells or disturbing a protective cap that isolates contamination. These restrictions keep the contamination contained and keep people from being exposed to the contamination. The controls are usually listed in environmental covenants recorded with the county.
Periodic reviews are required when institutional controls are required at a site. Ecology conducts reviews to make sure the controls remain effective and the cleanup still protects human health and the environment. We conduct periodic reviews about every five years.
Institutional Controls 23
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2050502785
County Recording Date:
5/16/2005
Restrictions/Requirements
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Groundwater
- Soil
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904916
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2050502786
County Recording Date:
5/16/2005
Restrictions/Requirements
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Groundwater
- Soil
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2050502787
County Recording Date:
5/16/2005
Restrictions/Requirements
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Groundwater
- Soil
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904914
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904907
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904908
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904909
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904910
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904911
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904901
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904902
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904903
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904900
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904905
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904906
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904904
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904485
County Recording Date:
9/27/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040704006
County Recording Date:
7/23/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040701276
County Recording Date:
7/8/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904912
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904913
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2040904915
County Recording Date:
9/29/2004
Restrictions/Requirements
- Control Vapor/Gas
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Air
- Groundwater
- Soil
- Surface Water
Documents 15
Legal 3
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Holly Street Landfill - Restrictive Covenants | 5/16/2005 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism |
Holly Street Landfill - Restrictive Covenant | 9/28/2004 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism |
Holly Street Landfill - Consent Decree | 9/3/2003 | Consent Decree |
Public Information 4
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Holly Street Landfill - PR Postcard - May 2024 | 5/23/2024 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Holly Street Landfill - PR Fact Sheet - May 2024 | 5/23/2024 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Holly Street Landfill - Responsiveness Summary - September 2004 | 9/16/2004 | Responsiveness Summary |
Holly Street Landfill - Fact Sheet - Remedial Design - March 2004 | 3/1/2004 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
State Environmental Policy Act 1
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Bellingham Bay Comprehensive Strategy - SEPA - Environmental Impact Statement | 10/1/2000 | SEPA Documents |
Technical Reports 7
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Holly Street Landfill - Periodic Review - May 2024 | 5/22/2024 | Periodic Review (5 Year) |
Holly Street Landfill - Post Construction Monitoring Report 2010-2014 - November 2014 | 11/1/2014 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
Holly Street Landfill - Post Construction Monitoring and Project Completion Report - November 2006 | 11/1/2006 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
Holly Street Landfill Technical Specifications Draft Final 100 Percient Design Submittal Holly Street Landfill Cleanup/Whatcom Creek Estuary Restoration | 2/1/2004 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
Holly Street Landfill Construction Quality Assurance Plan | 2/1/2004 | Construction Plans and Specifications |
Holly Street Landfill Design Analysis Report | 2/1/2004 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
Holly Street Landfill - Remedial Investigation Feasibility Study - April 2003 | 4/1/2003 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
There may be more documents related to this site. To obtain documents not available electronically, you will need to make a public records request.
Places to see print documents
-
Northwest Regional Office15700 Dayton Ave NShoreline, 98133Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 5
Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other Contaminant - Base/Neutral/Acid Organics | B | B | C | |||
Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | C | B | C | |||
Metals - Metals - Other | C | B | ||||
Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum Products-Unspecified | B | B | B | |||
Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons | B | B | B |
- S
- Suspected
- C
- Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
- B
- Below Cleanup Levels
- RA
- Remediated-Above
- RB
- Remediated-Below
- R
- Remediated
This contaminant list was based on our best information at the time it was entered. It may not reflect current conditions at the site.
Public Comment Period June 03, 2024-July 03, 2024
Cleanup evaluation report ready for public review
2024 Fact Sheet | 2024 Postcard
Submit comments | Read comments
We invite you to review a report evaluating the completed cleanup of the Holly Street Landfill site near the Bellingham waterfront.
We prepared the report to determine if the cleanup, completed by the City of Bellingham in 2005, still protects human health and the environment.
On-site Walking Tour
RE Sources, a local nonprofit organization, will host a walking tour of the Site to provide project information. Ecology and City representatives will be available for questions.
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024
Time: 12 noon - 1:30 pm
Location: Meet at 1600 C St, Bellingham, WA (in front of the Maritime Heritage Center)
More info: https://www.re-sources.org/HollyLandfill
This walking tour is funded by a Public Participation Grant from Ecology.