Kelloggs Korner

The site was a market and gasoline station with three underground storage tanks (USTs), located on the corner of Midvale and Emerald Roads. In April 1990, seepage of gasoline from the bank of a drainage canal into the canal water was reported to Ecology.  

Lead and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes were detected in soil and groundwater at concentrations exceeding state cleanup levels. Gasoline-range hydrocarbons were detected in soil and groundwater below cleanup levels.

In 1991, the site was placed on Ecology’s Hazardous Sites List, a list of sites Ecology evaluated for their potential threat to human health and the environment. This evaluation is based on how much contamination is present, how toxic it is, and how easily it can come in contact with people and the environment. Sites must go through cleanup and meet state standards before Ecology can remove them from the list.

The site owner hired an engineering firm to manage the site cleanup.  One of the items to be installed was a trench to prevent additional gasoline from entering the irrigation ditch. The proposed interception trench was not installed.  On August 22, 1991, Ecology issued a penalty for not preventing gasoline from entering the irrigation ditch from June 14, 1990 to August 14, 1990.  An Enforcement Order was also issued, requiring steps be taken to stop gas gasoline from entering the irrigation ditch.

Three 550-gallon leaded gasoline USTs were removed by the site owner.  In August 1990, Ecology issued a $3,000 penalty citing continuing gasoline seepage into the canal and an Administrative Order requiring steps be taken to stop gas gasoline from entering the irrigation ditch.  The owner installed a trench to stop petroleum migration; excavated petroleum contaminated soil; extended a steel culvert to prevent gasoline from entering the canal; and demolished the convenience store building and fuel dispensers.

In May 2019, Ecology issued a no further action letter in July 2019. In May 2023, the site was removed from the Hazardous Sites List after an opportunity for public review and comment.