WA WSU Wenatchee Tree Fruit Res & Ext Ctr Test Plot Site

The Washington State University WTFREC Test Plot Area is located 1100 N Western Avenue in Wenatchee, Washington. The Test Plot Area of the WTFREC was used by the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to test the effectiveness of pesticide disposal methods. The experiments, which took place between 1966 and 1985, included the burial of organochlorine, organophosphate, and other pesticides. In 1985, the property was transferred to WSU.

In 1991, the site was added to Ecology’s Hazardous Sites List with a ranking of “3”. Sites on the Hazardous Sites List are a priority for Ecology, and have completed a Site Hazard Assessment (SHA). A SHA provides information about the environmental risk of the site. Risk is based on the amount of contaminants, how toxic they are, and how easily they can come in contact with people and the environment. Sites are ranked relative to each other on a scale of “1” to “5”; with a rank of “5” being the lowest.

In 1997, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), along with WSU, EPA, and Ecology, investigated the contamination present at the site. Cleanup of the WTFREC Test Plot Area was conducted. The USACE first focused efforts on removal of the bags of pesticides. Then a larger removal of pesticide contaminated soil was conducted with the assistance of an on-site laboratory. Pesticides and pesticide-contaminated soil were disposed of properly. The site is now in a usable condition. About 46 tons of material was excavated during the first removal and 330 tons during the subsequent larger removal. The excavation area measured approximately 33 feet by 85 feet and ranged from 1 to 5 feet in depth.

Based upon our review of the final report, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment. Ecology made a no further action determination in May 2006. The site has been removed from the Hazardous Sites List.