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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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 Office
    1250 W Alder St
    Union Gap, 98903-0009
    Please 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.