Facility Site ID: 2322990 Cleanup Site ID: 3087

Site Description

Schools in the Yakima School District were sampled for lead and arsenic contamination as part of Ecology’s Area-Wide Soil Contamination Project. Soil beneath the grass of the playground at the elementary school contains lead and arsenic; sampling and analysis indicates that contamination exceeds state cleanup levels.

Area-wide soil contamination is defined as contamination above state cleanup levels that is dispersed over a large geographic area. The soil contamination in this case is a result of central Washington’s orchard industry. Much of the region consists of current or former orchard land, where long-term pesticide application has taken its toll. Lead arsenate, a pesticide commonly used between the years of 1905 and 1947 to control the codling moth, has been identified as the primary source of increased lead and arsenic concentrations.

Due to their chemical structure, lead and arsenic tend to bond with soil particles and often remain at or near ground surface level for decades, creating an exposure pathway through inhalation and/or ingestion.

Although lead and arsenic are naturally occurring elements, elevated concentrations have been proven to have a negative impact on human health. Young children are generally more susceptible than adults, which is why Ecology has focused remediation efforts on schools.

In 2006, 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.

Cleanup Activities

During the summer of 2009, Ecology conducted a cleanup and placed all contaminated soils under a geotextile fabric barrier. Then, eight inches of clean topsoil were placed on top on the barrier fabric. This cleanup method, referred to as capping, is cost-effective and prevents human exposure to contaminated soil. Following cleanup, an environmental covenant was recorded for the property with the Yakima County Assessor.

Cleanup Complete

Based upon cleanup activities and the recording of the restrictive covenant, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment and that no further action is required. Ecology issued a no further action determination in 2011. The site has been removed from the Hazardous Sites List.

Periodic Review

Ecology conducts periodic reviews every 5 years at sites that have institutional controls. The review is intended to examine the effectiveness of cleanup activities and to assure the continued protection of human health and the environment.
 
Periodic review results

Based upon the site visit conducted in March 2021, no major repair, maintenance, or contingency actions have been required. Ecology noted that one area of exposed soil is present on the north edge of the southern yard. This exposed soil should be re-covered with turf or another suitable cover material.

The cleanup actions completed at the site are protective of human health and the environment.

Soil cleanup levels have not been met at the site; however, the cleanup action is determined to comply with cleanup standards under WAC 173-340-740(6)(f), since the long-term integrity of the containment system is ensured and the requirements for containment technologies have been met.

The environmental covenant for the site is in place and will be effective in protecting public health and the environment from exposure to hazardous substances and protecting the integrity of the cleanup action.

Based on this periodic review, Ecology has determined that the requirements of the environmental covenant are being followed. No additional remedial actions are required by the property owner. It is the property owner’s responsibility to continue to inspect the site to assure that the integrity of the cap is maintained.

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.

Environmental Covenant

County Recording #: 7700587
County Recording Date: 8/12/2010

Restrictions/Requirements

  • Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
  • Prohibit Soil Disturbance

Restricted Media

  • Soil
Legal 2
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Robertson Elementary NFA ltr 4/25/2011 NFA Letter – non-VCP
Robertson Elementary Restrictive Covenant 8/12/2010 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism
Public Information 6
State Environmental Policy Act 2
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Gilbert ES & Robertson ES Environmental Checklist 6/6/2008 SEPA Documents
Gilbert ES & Robertson ES SEPA DNS 7/1/2006 SEPA Documents
Technical Reports 6
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Robertson Elementary School - Notice of 2nd Periodic Review 3/10/2023 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Robertson Elementary 2021 Periodic Review 5/1/2021 Periodic Review (5 Year)
Robertson Elementary 2015 Periodic Review 11/1/2015 Periodic Review (5 Year)
Robertson Elementary final interim action rpt 7/9/2010 Interim Action Documents
Robertson Elementary School Site Hazard Assessment 8/1/2006 Site Hazard Assessment Report
Gilbert ES & Robertson ES Interim Remedial Action Plan 2006 6/18/2006 Interim Action Documents
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

  • Central Regional Office
    1250 W Alder St
    Union Gap, 98903-0009
    Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.

Contaminants 3

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants RA
Metals - Arsenic RA
Pesticides - Pesticides-Unspecified S
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.