Pace Industries Puget Div Inc

Environmental cleanup is complete at the site and the second periodic review shows the cleanup work remains effective in protecting the health of people and the environment.

Because some hazardous material was left in place at the site, an environmental covenant was recorded on the property deed and filed with the county in 2007. When an environmental covenant exists for a cleanup site, Ecology reviews site conditions about every five years to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the cleanup action. 

Ecology inspected the site on September 1, 2020. The current condition of the asphalt cap and buildings that cover the contaminated soil continue to eliminate possible exposure of hazardous substances to people and the environment at the site. The asphalt cap and buildings are in excellent condition. No repair, maintenance, or contingency actions are required at this time.

From September 9 to October 10, 2021, Ecology held a comment period to give the public an opportunity to comment on conditions at the site. No comments were received and Ecology finalized the second periodic review report.

Second Periodic Review Report Final

The Pace Industries Puget Div, Inc. cleanup site is located at 2101 and 2011 Mildred Street West in a commercial area of Tacoma. The site is a commercial/retail center with three buildings, paved parking lot, and landscaped areas.

From 1959 to 1995, the site was an aluminum die-casting manufacturing facility. In 1995, the operation was transferred to Pace Industries. In 2003, Bodine Enterprises bought the property and redeveloped it.

Manufacturing operations in the past handled and disposed of materials such as oil and lubricants. Investigations indicated that operations leaked hazardous petroleum hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) into the soil.

Cleanup activities were completed under the Voluntary Cleanup Program. About 1,300 cubic yards of contaminated soil were removed from the site. However, some petroleum- and PCB-containing soil could not be removed because it was located in soil underneath the foundation of structures at the site. Contaminated soil was left in place underneath buildings or covered with an asphalt cap. 

Heavy metal contamination was found in drain line sludges that appeared to come from a former septic tank, but the tank could not be located. The area of suspected contamination is covered with pavement to prevent contact with contaminated soil and minimizes movement of stormwater into the soil.

The petroleum hydrocarbons and PCBs contamination in the soil extends to a maximum depth of 20 feet below the surface of the ground. Groundwater is at least 65 feet below the surface at the site. It is highly unlikely that groundwater is adversely affected by the contaminated soil that remains at the site. 

Environmental Covenant number 200708170825 was recorded for the site in 2007.  Among other restrictions, the covenant:

• Prohibits activities that could result in the release of contaminants remaining on the site.
• Requires the asphalt cap be maintained and kept in good repair.
• States that the owner may not alter, modify or remove existing structures in any manner that may result in the release of contaminants that remain on site.