Reserve Silica Plant

The Reserve Silica Plant site was initially part of the Reserve Silica Reclamation site. The Plant and Reclamation sites are managed as separate sites under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) because the sources and types of contamination are distinct and the contamination areas do not overlap. The Reserve Silica Plant site is located on the north side of Black Diamond-Ravensdale Road.

The Site was developed in 1924 to process coal from the Dale No. 1 mine and the Ravensdale No. 2 Mine/McKay Workings. Coal was received from a tramway and tipple, and then processed at the Site. Historical coal maps depict approximate locations of a washery, coal bunkers, a drying room, a briquette bunker, a machine shop, a transformer, and railway spurs. Tailings from coal processing were deposited south of the pre-existing railroad in low areas that potentially extend under the current Black-Diamond Ravensdale Road, prior to its construction in circa 1941-1942. The coal processing plant was decommissioned in 1955.

​The Site was developed in the early 1970s to process sand mined from the Reserve Silica Reclamation site, where sandstone was mined from 1968 to 2007. The sand was disaggregated and washed to remove fines. The fines from the process water were deposited in settling ponds on the west side of the Site. The sand processing plant was decommissioned in 2015.

The draft Remedial Investigation report for the Site identified credible evidence of releases near two former sand processing areas:

• Petroleum hydrocarbons were detected near the 10,000-gallon diesel fuel underground storage tank.
• Petroleum hydrocarbons were detected near former aboveground storage tanks near the hazardous materials storage area.

What's In My Neighborhood shows contamination cleanup sites in Washington state. Ecology encourages cleanup of these sites to protect the health of people, plants, and animals. Cleanups are projects that remove, treat, or contain potentially harmful substances.

To report an environmental problem or concern, any time, day or night, use the online reporting form.

Counties: Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom
Email: nwroerts@ecy.wa.gov
Phone: 206-594-0000

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