Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 0178

Facility Site ID: 2720 Cleanup Site ID: 5180

Current Status

Aerial view of Unocal Edmonds site (click to enlarge)
Aerial view of Unocal Edmonds site (click to enlarge)

Last updated: March 2024

2024 Public Comment Period
The Department of Ecology is planning to hold the next public comment period from Monday, May 20 to Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Read more below.

2023 - 2024 Cleanup Updates
The Department of Ecology and Chevron Environmental Management Company held two community updates to provide project information and answer questions. See November 2023 postcard mailer.

  • Tuesday, December 12, 2023: Hybrid Open House
    Presentation (in-person and online) and Q&A

  • Tuesday, February 13, 2024: Online Update Meeting
    Presentation (online) and Q&A

Most Commonly Asked Questions and Answers
Please review the 2024 Unocal Edmonds Questions and Answers Sheet that summarizes the most commonly asked questions and answers about the cleanup site. 

 

Sign Up For Updates!

Join our email list to receive updates about the Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 0178 cleanup site. Email Kristen Forkeutis, Public Involvement Coordinator, at Kristen.Forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov to be added to the list. Unsubscribe at any time.

Future Public Comment Periods

According to the WA State Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) our team is preparing to hold a 45-day public comment period from Monday, May 20 to Wednesday, July 3, 2024, for the documents listed below. During the comment period, Ecology will host a hybrid public meeting both in-person and online using the Zoom platform to provide project information and answer questions.

  • Revised Draft Feasibility Study (comprised of the 2017 Draft Feasibility Study and the 2024 Draft Feasibility Study Addendum): An evaluation of ways to clean up the Site, and a recommended preferred cleanup alternative. The Terrestrial Ecological Evaluation (TEE) will also be included.
  • Updated Public Participation Plan: A description about how Ecology will inform the community about site activities and ways to become involved.

After reviewing and responding to comments from the May 20 - July 3, 2024, comment period, Ecology will then schedule another 45-day public comment period (with a hybrid public meeting) for the documents listed below.

  • Draft Cleanup Action Plan: Ecology’s plan that describes the cleanup work to address contamination within the site.
  • Consent Decree: A legal agreement between Ecology and Chevron that requires Chevron to complete cleanup actions at the site.
  • State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Nonsignificance: Ecology’s determination that the cleanup work is not likely to harm the environment.

Negotiations regarding all of the above documents have been ongoing between Ecology and Chevron Environmental Management Company (Chevron), the Potential Liable Person (PLP).

Kristen Forkeutis and Ian Fawley, Outreach Specialists, will continue to lead the outreach planning for this site.

Cleanup Site Status

View of cleanup site from upper area
View of cleanup site from upper area
  • Ecology completed early cleanups (called Interim Actions) in 2003 for the Upper Yard
  • Ecology began Interim Actions on the Lower Yard in 2001.
  • A dual-phase extraction system (that removes and treats petroleum in soil, groundwater, and air) continues in the Lower Yard while Ecology is monitoring the results, which will inform the cleanup action plan.
  • Soil contamination remains adjacent to the active stormwater pipe that runs across the site. Ecology and Chevron are currently working on a solution to minimize the risk of working around the stormwater pipe, minimize exposure to ecological receptors (wildlife, plants, and soil organisms), and provide a sustainable net benefit to the environment and area ecology.

General Cleanup Process

MTCA Cleanup Process
MTCA 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.

Site Background

Historic view of fuel terminal
Historic view of fuel terminal

The Site is located at 11720 Unoco Road in Edmonds, Washington. The terminal operated from 1923 to 1991. It was used for storing, blending, and distributing petroleum products including gasoline, diesel, and bunker fuel. An asphalt plant operated on the Site between 1953 and the late 1970s.


The Terminal consisted of a dock and an Upper and a Lower Yard. Petroleum products were pumped from marine vessels moored at the dock to storage tanks in the Upper Yard, which was on a hill above the Lower Yard. Products were gravity-fed and pumped to loading racks in the Lower Yard for transport by truck and train to customers.


A number of Interim Actions have been conducted over the years to clean up oil floating on groundwater, remove arsenic-contaminated soil, and remove petroleum-contaminated soil. (See below for details.)


Removal of petroleum-contaminated soil resulted in cleanup of groundwater. Most of the Site is now clean. Ecology certified the Upper Yard was suitable for residential use in 2003 and the Point Edwards Condominiums were then constructed.


The City of Edmonds has expressed interest in using a portion of the Lower Yard for restoring the Edmonds Marsh and Willow Creek

Cleanup Work So Far

 

1991

 

Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 0178 site is ranked the highest assessed risk and listed as a contaminated site by Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) Toxics Cleanup Program.

 

1992

Unocal installed recovery wells in the Lower Yard and began removing petroleum product from the groundwater.

 

1993

Union Oil of California (Unocal) enters into cleanup agreement (Agreed Order) under Model Toxics Control Act with Ecology.

 

1994

Remedial Investigation began; sampling and analysis of soils and groundwater.


Product recovery continues until circa 2000 from wells in the Lower Yard; totals approximately 2000 gallons petroleum.

 

2001

 Interim cleanup action plan for Upper Yard approved by Ecology.


All 23 fuel storage tanks removed from Upper Yard.


Interim cleanup action of select areas in the Lower Yard removed 10,000+ tons of petroleum contaminated soil and 2500+ gallons of product.

 

 

2002

Approximately 100,000 tons of contaminated soil removed from Upper Yard.

 

2003

Cleanup of Upper Yard complete.


 
Ecology determines that Upper Yard is suitable for residential use.


 
Construction on Point Edwards condominiums begin.


 
Interim cleanup action of more select areas in the Lower Yard (including stormwater Detention Basin No. 1) removed approximately 40,000 tons of metals and petroleum contaminated soils.

 

2004

 Range of cleanup options for Lower Yard selected.

 

2005

Phase 1 of Point Edwards opens on the site of former Upper Yard.


 
Unocal enters a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation for the Lower Yard.

 

2007

 Ecology and Unocal enters into another cleanup agreement (Agreed Order) to conduct interim actions.


 
Interim cleanup action of Lower Yard begins.

 

2008

 Interim cleanup action of Lower Yard complete, except for 2 areas intentionally excluded in the plan; 130,000 tons of petroleum contaminated soil/sediment and 9000 gallons of product was removed, along with some sand blast grit containing arsenic and lead.


 
Confirmational groundwater monitoring begins.

 

 

2010

 Completed data collection and monitoring of Lower Yard cleanup.

 

 

2011

 Ecology determines that additional cleanup steps are needed for Lower Yard; Ecology approved Feasibility Study Work Plan.


Groundwater monitoring continues.

 

 

2014

 Unocal, a subsidiary of Chevron, submits draft Feasibility Study for full Lower Yard cleanup.

 

2015

Wells installed and pilot test study for Dual-Phase Extraction System for Lower Yard area beneath a Washington State Department of Transportation stormwater line.

 

2016

Interim Cleanup Action work plan approved for the 2 remaining areas on the Lower Yard.


 
Work delayed for NPDES Permit appeal for treated groundwater discharge to surface water.

 

2017

Agreed Order amendment becomes effective after NPDES Permit issued to support interim action cleanup in 2 remaining areas on Lower Yard.

 Interim cleanup action begins; Excavation of one area (Detention Basin No. 2) completed; the other area (beneath a Washington State Department of Transportation stormwater line) had construction completed of a Dual-Phase Extraction System that could take up to 6 years to conclude cleanup.


 
Phase II of Point Edwards Condominiums begins on the Upper Yard.

 

 

2018 - Present

Limited re-design of Dual-Phase Extraction System to cover a few localized spots throughout the Lower Yard.

Interim cleanup action monitoring continuing.


Requesting Accommodation

To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 425-240-4353, email Kristen.Forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov, or visit ecology.wa.gov/Accessibility. For Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341.

If you speak a non-English language, free language services are available.

Legal 4
Public Information 18
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 0178 - Online Presentation - Feb 2024 2/13/2024 Multimedia
Unocal Edmonds - Questions and Answers Sheet 2024 1/30/2024 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 0178 - Open House Presentation - Dec 2023 12/12/2023 Multimedia
Unocal Edmonds - 2023-2024 Cleanup Updates Postcard - November 2023 11/16/2023 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 0178 9-12-23 Update 9/12/2023 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 0178 3-17-23 Update 3/17/2023 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Questions and Answers Sheet 2020 7/30/2020 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Unocal Edmonds - August 2017 Cleanup Work 7/20/2017 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Unocal Edmonds cleanup site - response to comments 9/27/2016 Responsiveness Summary
Unocal Edmonds - Amended Agreed Order and NPDES Permit Fact Sheet 8/5/2016 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Unocal Edmonds - Responsiveness Summary 12/24/2015 Responsiveness Summary
Unocal Edmonds - Interim Action Work Plan and SEPA Fact Sheet 7/31/2015 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Edmonds July 2015 Public Meeting Presentation 7/30/2015 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Unocal Edmonds Remedial Investigation Reports, Agreed Order for Interim Action 7/1/2007 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Unocal Edmonds Fact Sheet Cleanup of the Upper Yard Complete 9/1/2003 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Unocal Edmonds Fact Sheet Draft Interim Action Report and SEPA Documents Available 5/1/2003 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Draft Interim Action Report & SEPA Documents Available for Public Review and Comment 4/1/2003 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Unocal Edmonds Interim Action, Supplemental Remedial Investigation, and Feasibility Study Work Plans 6/21/2001 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
State Environmental Policy Act 1
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Unocal Edmonds- SEPA 7/6/2015 SEPA Documents
Technical Reports 112
Document Title Document Date Document Type
2022 Groundwater Monitoring and Dual-Phase Extraction System Operation Report 10/12/2023 Groundwater Monitoring Report
2021 Groundwater Monitoring and Dual-Phase Extraction System Operation Report 4/28/2022 Groundwater Monitoring Report
2020 Groundwater Monitoring and Dual-Phase Extraction System Operation Report 6/30/2021 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Dual Phase Extraction System As-Built Report Addendum 12/8/2020 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Unocal Edmonds 2019 Groundwater and Operations Report - Text/Tables/Figures 3/25/2020 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds 2019 Groundwater and Operations Report - Appendices 3/25/2020 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds Final Additional DPE Well Instrallation Work Plan 5/29/2019 Interim Action Documents
Unocal Edmonds 2018 Groundwater and Operations Report Appendices G-K 4/1/2019 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds 2018 Groundwater and Operations Report & Appendices A-F 4/1/2019 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds WSDOT Stormwater Line Compliance Soil Sampling Work Plan 11/30/2018 Performance/Confirmational Monitoring Plan or Report
Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal Ltd DPE System Soil Investigation Summary 10/26/2018 Remedial Action Report
Final Dual-Phase Extraction Systen As-Built Report 5/10/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Text_Tables_Figures 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices O 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 9 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 8 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 7 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 6 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 5 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 4 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 3 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 2 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices I_Part 1 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices J-P 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices G-H 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Final DB-2 Excavation As-Built Report_Appendices A-F 3/29/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Unocal Edmonds 2017 Groundwater and Operation Report 11/1/2017 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds Terminal Monthly Progress Report Sept 2017 10/11/2017 Progress Report
Public Review Draft Final Feasibility Study Report 6/16/2017 Feasibility Study
Unocal Edmonds 2017 GW Baseline Event Work Plan 6/9/2017 Remedial Investigation Work Plan
Monthly Progress Report - November 2016 12/16/2016 Progress Report
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Waste Discharge Permit No. WA0991007 11/1/2016 Engineering Design Report
Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit WA0991007 11/1/2016 Engineering Design Report
Notice of Appeal of NPDES Permit WA0991007 10/28/2016 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Final Interim Action Workplan 7/19/2016 Interim Action Documents
Contract Drawings for Interim Action for 2015 Lower Yard Former Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 3/8/2016 Construction Plans and Specifications
Construction Drawings for System Design Specification 3/8/2016 Construction Plans and Specifications
Final Engineering Design Report 3/8/2016 Engineering Design Report
Unocal Edmonds - Posterboards Open House August 2015 8/20/2015 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Unocal Edmonds - Historical Photos Presentation August 2015 8/20/2015 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Unocal Edmonds- Public Meeting Presentation August 2015 8/20/2015 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Public Review Draft Interim Action Work Plan 7/6/2015 Interim Action Documents
Ecology Review of Proposed Addendum to the Draft Feasibility Study Report, former Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal, dated August 11, 2014 9/23/2014 Feasibility Study
Proposed Addendum to the Draft Feasibility Study Report, Former Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 8/11/2014 Feasibility Study
Draft Feasibility Study Report, Former Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal 1/30/2014 Feasibility Study
Soil Vapor Investigation Work Plan, 2013 9/26/2013 Scope Of Work
Cleanup Levels and Remediation Levels Report 9/17/2013 Feasibility Study
Final Conceptual Site Model 6/7/2013 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Final Feasibility Study Work Plan 10/5/2012 Feasibility Study
Unocal Edmonds - review of sediment results 8/9/2012 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Unocal Edmonds - Final 2011 Site Investigation Completion Report, Lab reports and chromatograms 5/11/2012 Interim Action Documents
Unocal Edmonds - Final 2011 Site Investigation Completion Report 5/11/2012 Interim Action Documents
Unocal Edmonds - Final 2011 Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report, Lab Reports 5/11/2012 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds - Final 2011 Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report 5/11/2012 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds - Historic Air Photos 1/26/2012 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Former Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal - Detention Basin No. 2 Investigation Work Plan (July 29, 2011) 7/29/2011 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Former Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal - Final 2010 Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report (July 28, 2011) 7/28/2011 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal -2009 Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report 7/5/2011 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Unocal Edmonds Aquifer Testing Work Plan 1/25/2011 Independent Reports
2008 Additional Site Investigation and Groundwater Monitoring Report, Tables 1/18/2010 Site Specific Technical Document - other
2008 Additional Site Investigation and Groundwater Monitoring Report, Figures 1-15 1/18/2010 Site Specific Technical Document - other
2008 Additional Site Investigation and Groundwater Monitoring Report, Appendix A 1/18/2010 Site Specific Technical Document - other
2008 Additional Site Investigation and Groundwater Monitoring Report (Appendices B through G available upon request) 1/18/2010 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Phase II Appendix K, Statistical Analysis 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II Appendix J, Boring Logs 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II Appendix I, Willow Creek Restoration: As-built and Monitoring Plan 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II Appendix H, HWA Density Tests and lab data 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II Appendix E, Fish Removal Summary 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II Appendix A, Northwest Archaeological Associates Report 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II Interim Action Tables 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II As-Built Figures 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase II Remedial Implementation As-Built Report (Appendices B, C, D, F, G, L available upon request) 1/18/2010 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase I As-Built Report, Appendix G, Compaction Results 7/31/2009 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase I As-Built Report, Appendix F, Boring Logs 7/31/2009 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase I As-Built Report, Appendix E, MTCAstat out 28Oct08 7/31/2009 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase I - Interim Action Tables 7/31/2009 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase I - Interim Action Figures 7/31/2009 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Phase I Remedial Implementation As-Built Report (Appendices A-D,H available upon request) 7/31/2009 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
2003 Sediment Results Excel Workbook 2/24/2004 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Sediment Bioassay Results for Unocal Site in Edmonds, WA 2/24/2004 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Technical Memorandum on Supplemental Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing (WET) at the Unocal Bulk Fuel Terminal Edmonds Washington 10/10/2003 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Unocal Edmonds Ecology Letter of Completion for Upper Yard 10/9/2003 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Unocal Edmonds Response to Comments on Upper Yard Interim Action Report 10/7/2003 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Upper Yard Data 8/25/2003 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Unocal Edmonds Upper Yard Interim Action As-Built Report 8/25/2003 Interim Action Documents
Unocal Edmonds Response to Comments on Draft Interim Action Report 7/14/2003 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Toxicity Evaluation of Groundwater Samples, Unocal Edmonds 6/1/2003 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Acceptance of draft SRI report as final 4/28/2003 Remedial Investigation Report
Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report, Figures 4/28/2003 Remedial Investigation Report
Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report, Tables 4/28/2003 Remedial Investigation Report
Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report 4/28/2003 Remedial Investigation Report
Review of Interim Report, Whole Effluent Toxicity Tests, Unocal Edmonds Terminal 1/22/2003 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Interim Report - Whole Effluent Toxicity Tests, Unocal Edmonds Terminal 12/13/2002 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Unocal Edmonds - Lower Yard Interim Action As-Built Report Vol III 11/30/2002 Interim Action Documents
Unocal Edmonds - Lower Yard Interim Action As-Built Report Vols I & II 11/30/2002 Interim Action Documents
Remedial Investigation Report, Appendix E, Field Sampling Data Sheets 6/12/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Appendix L, Upland Aquatic Sediment Statistical Calculations and Laboratory Reports 6/12/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 8 6/11/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 7 6/10/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 6 6/9/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 5 6/8/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 4 6/7/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 3 6/6/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 2 6/5/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Drawing 1 6/4/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Figures 6/3/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report, Tables 6/2/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Unocal Edmonds - Interim Action Report 6/1/2001 Interim Action Documents
Acceptance of draft remedial investigation report as final 6/1/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Remedial Investigation Report 6/1/2001 Remedial Investigation Report
Unocal Edmonds - Background History Report 1994 2/15/1994 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Supplemental Subsurface Contamination Assessment, Upper Yard Edmonds Fuel Terminal and Burlington Northern Railroad Properties 2/22/1993 Site Specific Technical Document - other
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 Office
    15700 Dayton Ave N
    Shoreline, 98133
    Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.

Contaminants 6

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons C C
Metals - Arsenic RB
Non-Halogenated Organics - Benzene C C
Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Diesel C C
Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Gasoline C C
Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Other C 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.