Brewster Elementary School
Facility Site ID:
7994127
Cleanup Site ID:
422
Site Description
Brewster Elementary School is located on former orchard land and was subjected to historical pesticide applications resulting in area-wide soil contamination. In 2002, Ecology staff tested the soil at the site and found lead and arsenic contamination exceeding 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 2004, 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.
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 2004, 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 2006, Ecology staff managed a cleanup at the site designed to reduce or eliminate the lead and arsenic contamination. It involved two major steps: 1) placement of geotextile fabric, and 2) import and placement of a clean topsoil cap. New seed was planted to establish grass, and new infield material was imported.
Ecology staff verified through confirmational sampling that the contamination had been completely covered with a layer of clean topsoil.
Following cleanup, an environmental covenant was recorded for the property with the Okanogan County Auditor. The purpose of the environmental covenant is to provide a permanent legal record of the contamination that remains on the property, and to prevent activities at the site that might disturb or damage the soil cap.
Ecology staff verified through confirmational sampling that the contamination had been completely covered with a layer of clean topsoil.
Following cleanup, an environmental covenant was recorded for the property with the Okanogan County Auditor. The purpose of the environmental covenant is to provide a permanent legal record of the contamination that remains on the property, and to prevent activities at the site that might disturb or damage the soil cap.
Cleanup Complete
Based upon cleanup activities and the recording of a restrictive covenant, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment. Ecology made a no further action determination in June 2008. The site has been removed from the Hazardous Sites List.
Periodic Review
Periodic reviews are conducted every 5 years by Ecology for 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
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 actions were 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.
A new environmental covenant has been recorded for the site that prevents activities that may expose contaminated soils beneath the soil caps.
Based on this periodic review, Ecology has determined that the restrictions of the environmental covenant is being followed. No additional remedial actions are required by the School District. It is the School District’s responsibility to continue to inspect the site to ensure that the integrity of the cap is maintained.
Periodic review results
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 actions were 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.
A new environmental covenant has been recorded for the site that prevents activities that may expose contaminated soils beneath the soil caps.
Based on this periodic review, Ecology has determined that the restrictions of the environmental covenant is being followed. No additional remedial actions are required by the School District. It is the School District’s responsibility to continue to inspect the site to ensure 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.
Institutional Controls 1
Amended Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
3181711
County Recording Date:
4/24/2013
Restrictions/Requirements
- Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
- Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Soil
Documents 10
Legal 2
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Brewster School Dist Amended Environmental Covenant | 4/24/2013 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism - Amendment |
Brewster Elementary Restrictive Environmental Covenant | 2/6/2008 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism |
Public Information 2
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Brewster Elementary delisting fact sheet | 5/15/2008 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Brewster Elementary Interim Remedial Action fact sheet | 6/1/2004 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
State Environmental Policy Act 1
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Brewster Elementary School - Ecology Response to SEPA Comment | 10/29/2019 | SEPA Documents |
Technical Reports 5
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Brewster School District 2015 Periodic Review | 11/1/2015 | Periodic Review (5 Year) |
Brewster Elementary School 2013 Periodic Review rpt | 4/1/2013 | Periodic Review (5 Year) |
Brewster Elementary Softball Field Interim Action Report | 9/12/2007 | Interim Action Documents |
Brewster Elementary School - Site Hazard Assessment | 1/20/2004 | Site Hazard Assessment Report |
Brewster Elementary School SHA Results Notification | 1/20/2004 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
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 Office1250 W Alder StUnion Gap, 98903-0009Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 4
Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | S | |||||
Metals - Arsenic | RA | S | ||||
Metals - Lead | 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.