Facility Site ID: 724755 Cleanup Site ID: 446

Site Description

The Bridgeport Elementary School was cleaned up as part of the Area-Wide Soil Contamination Project.

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.

After a Site Hazard Assessment, the Site was ranked a “4” on the Hazardous Sites List. The Hazardous Sites List is a statewide list of contaminated properties.  Sites can be ranked from a “1” to “5”.  A rank of “1” is the highest level of environmental concern compared to other sites on the List, and a rank of “5” is the lowest.

Cleanup Activities

The cleanup alternative preferred by Ecology consisted primarily of placing clean soil on top of the existing soil, and establishing new grass on this clean soil.  Following cleanup, an environmental covenant was recorded for the property with the Douglas County Assessor. 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 on the cleanup completed and environmental covenant in place, Ecology has determined the site does not pose a threat to human health or the environment.  A No Further Action determination has been issued. 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 Environmental Covenants and/or 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 site visits, the turf at the school remains in good condition with the exception of areas where it receives concentrated use.  The clean soil cap continues to eliminate human and ecological exposure pathways to contaminated soils.  Maintenance and repair activities should be conducted where the clean soil cap has been exposed. 

An environmental covenant has been recorded for the Site that restricts activities that may expose contaminated soil, and notifies future property owners of contamination remaining at the Site.
 
Soils cleanup levels have not been met at the Site; however, the cleanup action is determined to comply with cleanup standards at the time of the action, since the long-term integrity of the containment system is ensured and the requirements for containment technologies have been met.

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 #: 3125345
County Recording Date: 7/2/2008

Restrictions/Requirements

  • Prohibit Soil Disturbance
  • Restrict Access

Restricted Media

  • Soil
Legal 2
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Bridgeport ES NFA ltr 7/28/2008 NFA Letter – non-VCP
Bridgeport ES covenant 7/2/2008 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism
Public Information 2
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Bridgeport ES delisting fact sheet 9/1/2008 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Bridgeport ES & Orondo ES IRA & SEPA fact sheet 3/1/2002 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
State Environmental Policy Act 2
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Bridgeport ES & Orondo ES SEPA DNS 3/1/2007 SEPA Documents
Bridgeport ES & Orondo ES SEPA checklist 3/1/2007 SEPA Documents
Technical Reports 5
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Bridgeport Elementary Notice of 2nd Periodic Review 9/21/2018 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Bridgeport Elementary 2018 Periodic Review 6/1/2018 Periodic Review (5 Year)
Brigeport Elementary 2013 Periodic Review 6/17/2013 Periodic Review (5 Year)
Bridgeport ES Final Interim Action Report 9/25/2007 Interim Action Documents
Bridgeport ES & Orondo ES Interim Remedial Action Plan 3/19/2007 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 2

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Metals - Arsenic RA
Metals - Lead RA
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.