Northport City Park
Facility Site ID:
3833228
Cleanup Site ID:
3421
Independent Cleanup Completed 2014
BNSF Railway, owner of the Northport City Park property, excavated and removed arsenic- and lead-contaminated soil to clean up the site, which is the city’s waterfront park and boat launch. Ecology issued a no further action opinion stating cleanup was complete in 2014.
Approximately 7,714 tons of contaminated soil was transported to a containment area on the LeRoi Smelter site that was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some contaminated soil remains where further excavation would have damaged existing trees, buildings, or rail lines. These areas have been capped to prevent human contact and prevent water from infiltrating or moving the contaminated soil.
An environmental covenant was recorded on the property to document the remaining contamination. BNSF must inspect the cap annually and submit reports to Ecology.
Approximately 7,714 tons of contaminated soil was transported to a containment area on the LeRoi Smelter site that was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some contaminated soil remains where further excavation would have damaged existing trees, buildings, or rail lines. These areas have been capped to prevent human contact and prevent water from infiltrating or moving the contaminated soil.
An environmental covenant was recorded on the property to document the remaining contamination. BNSF must inspect the cap annually and submit reports to Ecology.
Periodic Reviews
We visit the site every five years to ensure the cleanup still protects people and the environment. Our findings are published in a report that is available for public comment before becoming final.
The first periodic review report was completed in December 2019. Ecology visited the site on August 21, 2019, and found that the engineered controls remain intact.
The first periodic review report was completed in December 2019. Ecology visited the site on August 21, 2019, and found that the engineered controls remain intact.
Site History
The Northport City Park site is next to the LeRoi Co Smelter and Northport Waterfront cleanup sites. The City Park site includes both the park and BNSF right-of-way between the park and the former Le Roi Smelter.
Smelter operations impacted properties outside the smelter site, including the City Park, BNSF right-of-way, and Northport Waterfront. Soils at and near the smelter were contaminated with lead, arsenic, and other metals.
In 2003, the EPA conducted a Removal Site Evaluation of the smelter site and residential and community properties in Northport. Remedial activities began in July 2004 and included excavating and consolidating mine-waste-contaminated materials at the smelter, constructing a containment area, and capping the area.
A subsurface evaluation was conducted at the Park in 2004. Lead and arsenic concentrations were higher than state standards, primarily in shallow subsurface soils, which led BNSF to complete further independent cleanup.
Smelter operations impacted properties outside the smelter site, including the City Park, BNSF right-of-way, and Northport Waterfront. Soils at and near the smelter were contaminated with lead, arsenic, and other metals.
In 2003, the EPA conducted a Removal Site Evaluation of the smelter site and residential and community properties in Northport. Remedial activities began in July 2004 and included excavating and consolidating mine-waste-contaminated materials at the smelter, constructing a containment area, and capping the area.
A subsurface evaluation was conducted at the Park in 2004. Lead and arsenic concentrations were higher than state standards, primarily in shallow subsurface soils, which led BNSF to complete further independent cleanup.
Voluntary Cleanup Program
This site was cleaned up under our Voluntary Cleanup Program, which provides technical help to owners of contaminated sites.
Voluntary Cleanup Program customers pay fees to cover our costs for technical help and reviewing cleanup reports. Sites in this program must meet the same cleanup standards as the sites Ecology manages under legal orders.
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 1
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
2014 0001818
County Recording Date:
3/27/2014
Restrictions/Requirements
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
Restricted Media
- Soil
Documents 7
Legal 1
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Northport City Park Covenant | 3/27/2014 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism |
Technical Reports 5
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Northport City Park- 2023 Post Remedy Inspection Report | 12/20/2023 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
| Northport City Park- 2022 Annual Cap Inspection Report | 11/18/2022 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
| Northport City Park- 2021 Annual Cap Inspection Report | 11/11/2021 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
| Northport City Park- 2020 Annual Cap Inspection Report | 12/16/2020 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
| Periodic Review: Northport City Park Site | 12/31/2019 | Periodic Review (5 Year) |
Voluntary Cleanup Program 1
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Northport City Park - VCP Opinion on Site Cleanup - No Further Action | 7/2/2014 | VCP Opinion on Site Cleanup – NFA |
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
-
Eastern Regional OfficeN 4601 Monroe StSpokane, 99205-1265Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 1
| Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | C |
- 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.