Johns Auto Wrecking aka Havens Estate Investments, LLC

Environmental cleanup at the Johns Auto Wrecking site is complete. In 2022, Ecology determined that no further action is necessary because the cleanup meets state standards. 

A comment period was required before we could consider removing the site from the Hazardous Sites List. We held a public comment period from October 20 to November 21, 2022. We received one comment.

After considering the comment, our opinion remains the same--the site is cleaned up, and there is no more cleanup action required. The contamination has been removed and the cleanup complies with the state's cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).     

We are in the process of removing the site from the Hazardous Sites List.

Responsiveness Summary

The site is located about 1/3-mile south of the Olympia Regional Airport. The site is about 16 acres. It is zoned for light industrial use and is largely undeveloped land.

The property was used as a junkyard for about 22 years until 2001. The northern area of the property contained buildings and various salvage operations. There was a large tire pile in the center area. Various other salvaging was done around the property. 

At the southern end of the site is a temporary stream--Hopkins Ditch. The stream is ephemeral, which means it does not contain water for long enough time periods to support a fishery resource. 

Contaminants leaked into the soil, likely from years of vehicle crushing and improper handling and storage of wrecked cars. Contaminants that needed to be addressed by MTCA included:

• Petroleum hydrocarbons.
• cPAHs (carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
• PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
• Metals.
• PCE (tetrachloroethylene).

In total, about 107 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated from several locations on the site. The contaminated soil was removed off-site and taken to appropriate landfills. Debris from the auto wrecking operation was also removed. 

After the contaminated soil was removed from the site, soil tests confirmed that contaminant concentrations were below state cleanup levels.

To check on the condition of groundwater, the owner installed monitoring wells on the site. Groundwater at the site was sampled multiple times. Results confirmed that groundwater contaminants were below cleanup levels. 

After the cleanup, test results showed the water and sediment in the ditch were not contaminated.  

In March 2022, Ecology determined that no further cleanup action is necessary because the cleanup meets state standards. With the cleanup completed, we are in the process of removing the site from the Hazardous Sites List.