Facility Site ID:
52126416
Cleanup Site ID:
4580
The bare ground was a cement kiln dust deposit that has been excavated and placed under an engineered cap to keep people, wildlife, and precipitation from contacting the contamination. The excavated area was backfilled with clean soil.
Former cement manufacturing left two deposits of cement kiln dust (CKD) at the Holcim Inc site. Investigations showed the CKD had contaminated soil and groundwater.
The cleanup remedy was constructed from July through November 2016. A CKD deposit near the Spokane River was excavated and combined with the other CKD deposit further away from the river. The CKD was then covered with an engineered cap to keep people, wildlife, and precipitation from contacting the contamination.Below, you can learn more about the following:
- Holcim Inc. site history, including site ownership, past site use, and the types of contamination that prompted cleanup
- Cleanup actions that were completed to protect people and the environment
Site History
The Holcim Inc site is 24 acres. The largest part of the site is owned by Holcim (US), Inc. The remaining parts, which are now clean, are owned by the City of Spokane Valley and the Neighborhood, Inc. Coyote Rock Development.
The site was used for manufacturing cement from 1910 to 1967. During that time, CKD was deposited on the site. Soil sample results confirmed one CKD deposit about 109,100 cubic yards in volume on the Holcim property. Another CKD deposit in soil, about 12,300 cubic yards in volume, was on the city property.
The site was used for manufacturing cement from 1910 to 1967. During that time, CKD was deposited on the site. Soil sample results confirmed one CKD deposit about 109,100 cubic yards in volume on the Holcim property. Another CKD deposit in soil, about 12,300 cubic yards in volume, was on the city property.
The CKD contains various contaminants that exceed state standards, including arsenic, cadmium, and lead. In addition, some CKD deposits were very alkaline with a pH greater than 12.5, which is corrosive and considered dangerous waste if disturbed.
Other areas of the site had soil contaminated with benzene, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and gasoline.
Cleanup Timeline
In 2011, Ecology entered into an Agreed Order with Holcim (US), Inc., and the City of Spokane Valley. The order required these two property owners to conduct a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study at the Holcim Inc site to define the extent and location of contamination and evaluate cleanup options.
On February 13, 2014, during the public comment period for the draft Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, Ecology hosted a public meeting to provide an overview of the Holcim Inc site and results of the reports. We discussed soil and groundwater results, the cleanup options, and answered questions. Ecology published a response to comments following the comment period.
An engineered cap covers the CKD combined on the Holcim property. The cap includes a 30-mil geomembrane, one foot of drainage material, geotextile, and two feet of topsoil. Native grasses are planted on the cap. All precipitation runoff is collected and managed on Holcim’s property. Institutional controls will be placed on the property to protect the cap and restrict how the property is used. No institutional controls are on the city or Neighborhood, Inc. property because no contamination remains there.
On February 13, 2014, during the public comment period for the draft Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, Ecology hosted a public meeting to provide an overview of the Holcim Inc site and results of the reports. We discussed soil and groundwater results, the cleanup options, and answered questions. Ecology published a response to comments following the comment period.
Ecology selected a modified alternative 4 in the Cleanup Action Plan, held a public comment period on the draft plan in late 2015, and received one comment. We published our response to comments and finalized the plan without revision.
Cleanup activities occurred from July through November 2016. CKD was excavated from the city property and Neighborhood, Inc. property and combined with the CKD on the Holcim property. Excavated areas were backfilled with clean soil. The combined CKD-related material was re-graded to at least 10 feet away from the property boundary, 200 feet away from the 100-year floodplain of the Spokane River, and 200 feet from the Irvin Water District Well.
An engineered cap covers the CKD combined on the Holcim property. The cap includes a 30-mil geomembrane, one foot of drainage material, geotextile, and two feet of topsoil. Native grasses are planted on the cap. All precipitation runoff is collected and managed on Holcim’s property. Institutional controls will be placed on the property to protect the cap and restrict how the property is used. No institutional controls are on the city or Neighborhood, Inc. property because no contamination remains there.
Soil contaminated with benzene, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and gasoline, but not with CKD, was removed from the Holcim property and disposed off-site.
A long-term monitoring plan will ensure protection of the cleanup remedy. This includes quarterly groundwater monitoring for at least 20 years, unless Ecology approves a reduction. We will visit the site at least every 5 years for periodic reviews to verify the cleanup still protects humans and the environment.
Ecology will decide if the site can be removed from the Hazardous Sites List when cleanup is complete. The public will have another opportunity to comment at this time.
Documents 20
Legal 7
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Holcim Environmental Covenant | 12/12/2018 | Environmental Covenant |
| Consent Decree re: Holcim Inc.Site | 5/1/2015 | Consent Decree |
| Responsiveness Summary Letter for Agreed Order RI/FS | 8/22/2011 | Agreed Order |
| Responsiveness Summary for Agreed Order RI/FS | 8/22/2011 | Agreed Order |
| Holcim Inc Signed Agreed Order | 8/22/2011 | Agreed Order |
| Agreed Order for RI/FS Spokane Valley.pdf | 7/8/2011 | Agreed Order |
| Agreed Order for RI/FS Holcim | 6/17/2011 | Agreed Order |
Outreach Information 8
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Holcim Inc - Cleanup Along the Centennial Trail | 7/27/2016 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| Responsiveness Summary | Holcim Inc. Site | 10/27/2015 | Responsiveness Summary |
| Holcim, Inc. Site | 9/3/2015 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| Holcim, Inc. Fact Sheet - Spanish | 9/3/2015 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| Holcim, Inc. Fact Sheet - Russian | 9/3/2015 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| Responsiveness Summary Holcim RIFS Reports 2014 | 3/18/2014 | Responsiveness Summary |
| Fact Sheet Holcim Remedial Investigation Feasibility Study Report | 12/30/2013 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| Fact Sheet Agreed Order for Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study - Holcim Site | 7/21/2011 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
State Environmental Policy Act 1
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Determination of NonSignificance (DNS) WAC 197-11-970 | 5/1/2014 | SEPA Documents |
Technical Reports 4
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Periodic Review: Holcim Inc | 6/26/2025 | Periodic Review (5 Year) |
| Holcim Remedial Investigation Report 2013 | 12/30/2013 | Remedial Investigation Report |
| Holcim Feasibility Study Report | 12/30/2013 | Feasibility Study |
| Holcim (US) Inc Site Hazard Assessment Report | 3/9/2011 | Site Hazard Assessment Report |
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 4
| Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | C | C | ||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum Products-Unspecified | C | |||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons | C | |||||
| Metals - Arsenic | 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.
Public Comment Period
Ecology invites you to review and comment on the draft periodic review report. We conduct a periodic review at least every five years after beginning cleanup at a site. The purpose of the review is to evaluate current site conditions and to ensure the continued protection of people and the environment.
Ecology visited the site May 5, 2025, and found it was well managed. Stormwater is controlled to move rainwater and snowmelt off the protective cap to a series of stormwater infiltration basins. Groundwater monitoring wells were inspected and found to be in good condition. The Site is restricted from public access by gates and perimeter fencing. Fencing is regularly inspected by contractors for Holcim Inc.
Review the draft report
Submit comments via email, mail, or online by 11:59 p.m. July 28 to:
Jeremy Schmidt, jeremy.schmidt@ecy.wa.gov
N. 4601 Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99205-1265
Online comment form
Next steps
Ecology will review comments received during the comment period. The periodic review will become final if no significant changes are made due to public comment. An additional public comment period will be held if significant changes are made. We will hold an online public meeting if 10 people request it.