Vancouver Port of NuStar Cadet Swan

Ecology recently held two comment periods related to cleanup plans and work at the site.

For the Cadet/Swan portion of the site, a comment period was held from July 13 - August 11, 2023. Ecology received two comments during this period. The response to these comments have been prepared and are shared here: 

Vancouver Port of NuStar Cadet Swan Cleanup Site Response to Comments
https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/cleanupsearch/document/129912

Cadet/Swan portion of the Site

In 1956, the Swan Manufacturing Co. (Swan) started making electrical heaters in a building located at the corner of W 4th Plain Blvd and St Frances Lane. In 1964, they moved to 2500 West 4th Plain Blvd. In 1972, the Cadet Manufacturing Co. (Cadet) purchased Swan. Cadet continued to make heaters. The port purchased the former Swan site in 1982. In 2006, the port acquired the Cadet property.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and other chlorinated solvents were used to clean metal parts at both facilities and the solvents were released to soil and groundwater. The area of solvent contamination in groundwater is called a plume. A groundwater plume of chlorinated solvents is located under the Cadet and Swan facilities. The Port has been conducting interim actions at Cadet and Swan since 1998.

NuStar and Kinder Morgan portion of the Site

The NuStar Terminals Services, Inc. (NuStar) and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals, LLC (KMBT) are located next to each other on the Columbia River. NuStar and KMBT are tenants of the Port. NuStar handled bulk fertilizer and other bulk products. KMBT moved copper ore and other bulk products from rail cars to ships for export.

Contaminants of nitrate, ammonia, copper, and other metals are found in soil and groundwater beneath these facilities. NuStar, KMBT, and the Port are conducting a supplemental remedial investigation to access that contamination.

GATX was the former operator of the NuStar terminal and identified chlorinated solvents, such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and TCE, polluted soil and groundwater at the terminal. These solvents were bulk materials handled for distribution by GATX. A groundwater plume of chlorinated solvents is located under the NuStar and KMBT operational areas. NuStar has been conducting interim actions at the NuStar facility since 1998.

Contamination at the Site has not adversely affected City of Vancouver, Clark Public Utilities, or Port public drinking water supply wells. Even so, cleanup of the groundwater plume and other contaminants is important because exposure to these substances can be harmful to human health and the environment, including the neighboring Columbia River.

In 2009, the maximum extent of the solvent plume at the Site became known, which is outlined by a black dashed line. Until recently, Ecology considered the solvent plume from the Swan/Cadet and NuStar source areas to be one area-wide plume.

The yellow shaded area within the Site outline is the area considered in both the 2020 Agreed Order and the 2023 dCAP and Agreed Order. The NuStar and KMBT Site area not shaded yellow is not included in these documents. Cleanups, called interim actions, have reduced the solvent contaminant levels so the solvent plume no longer comingles between the Cadet/Swan and NuStar source areas.

Washington's cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), provided authority in AO DE
18152 to require the port to conduct and draft a feasibility study and prepare a preliminary dCAP for a partial Site cleanup within the Site. In Spring 2023, those plans will be made available for public comment ahead of implementation of the Cleanup Action Plan.

The Port is completing evaluation of the Cadet/Swan portion of the Site cleanup. Ecology will make available for public review the draft Cleanup Action Plan and related cleanup documents in Spring 2023. Ecology will consider and respond to comments ahead of finalizing the documents ahead of the implementation of the Cleanup Action Plan.

The investigation and cleanup evaluation of the NuStar/KMBT portion of the Site will continue at the same time. Ecology's objective is a complete and timely cleanup of the whole Site, while protecting the health of people and the environment.

There will be more opportunities for public comment. For the NuStar/KMBT part of the Site, the public will be able to review and comment on the Supplemental Remedial Investigation report, Feasibility Study, and the draft Cleanup Action Plan.