Facility Site ID: 68593938 Cleanup Site ID: 3438

  • Site Status

  • Cleanup Started

What's New?

Last updated July 30, 2018

Ecology held a public comment period for environmental documents that address dioxin contamination and cleanup at the Reichhold/SSA facility. The documents are part of a Consent Decree Amendment and Cleanup Action Plan Amendment to deal with dioxin contamination in site soil. The public comment period ended March 29, 2016 and we did not receive any comments.

Ecology held another public comment period for a new draft corrective action permit for this site so that cleanup work can proceed.

In 2016, SSA Containers remediated dioxin-contaminated soil. This work includes: 

  • Excavating soil at six isolated areas.
  • Combining contaminated soil within a 7.5 acre area of the site.
  • Capping the contaminated soil area with a surface that would prevent direct contact by humans and animals.
  • Maintaining deed restrictions at the property to keep the property in industrial use, and protect the capped area.

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Site Background

Dioxin contaminated soils and proposed cap location
Dioxin contaminated soils and proposed cap location
The former Reichhold Chemical (Reichhold) facility is a 52-acre property located on the Blair Peninsula between Alexander Avenue and Taylor Way. From 1956 to 1990, Reichhold produced pentachlorophenol and related compounds used in wood treating.

Compounds produced on site include:       
  • Pentachlorophenol.
  • Urea-formaldehyde resins.
  • Calcium chloride solution.
  • Treated fiber products.
  • Formaldehyde catalyst.
 
In 2006, Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) purchased the property from Reichhold Chemical. 

Site Contamination

Significant pentachlorophenol (PCP) groundwater contamination was discovered in 1986. PCP and breakdown products are the key contaminants at the site. Chlorinated solvents like trichloroethylene (TCE) and associated breakdown products (e.g., vinyl chloride) were also detected at lower concentrations. This contamination migrated off-property west to the Blair Waterway.

In 2014, soil contaminated with dioxin/furan compounds was found at the site. SSA’s contractors, with Ecology oversight, further investigated the nature and extent of the dioxin/furan contamination. Based on those results, Ecology decided that additional cleanup actions must be done to protect people and animals from contacting contaminated soils.

The contaminated soils are found in the central part of the property, within a former soil handling area, and six other isolated locations. Dioxin levels in the soil in these areas exceed cleanup levels for industrial sites. Cleanup levels for dioxins in industrial areas are 1,680 parts per trillion. The average concentration of dioxins in the contaminated areas of site soil is 53,905 parts per trillion. Groundwater levels do not exceed applicable cleanup levels.

Cleanup

In 2009, SSA implemented final cleanup actions to address contamination from pentachlorphenol production. Ecology oversaw the cleanup process and the work was completed as planned. The contaminated areas were excavated and the soil was disposed of. Groundwater was remediated through pump and treat methods and monitored natural attenuation (through biodegradation). The soil and groundwater at the property meet industrial cleanup levels for the contaminants of concern that had been identified for the site.

However, dioxin compounds were not identified as contaminants of concern at the property during previous investigations and cleanup actions. SSA, with Ecology oversight, will address the dioxin contamination through a supplemental cleanup action.
Legal 5
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Environmental Covenant for Reichhold/SSA Site 2016 2/26/2016 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism - Amendment
Superceding 2nd Amendment to CD with SSA 2/26/2016 Consent Decree - Amendment
SSA Container INC Agreed Interim Action Administrative Order July 2004 7/30/2004 Administrative Order on Consent
Reichhold, Inc. Agreed Order 7/30/2004 Agreed Order
In the Matter of Remedial Action at: Reichhold, Inc. 7/30/2004 Agreed Order
Public Information 3
Document Title Document Date Document Type
PublicCommentNoticeforReichhold-SSADraftCorrectiveActionPermit 5/13/2016 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Draft Public Participation Plan for Reichhold/SSA Site 2/29/2016 Public Participation Plan
Public Comment Notice for Reichhold/SSA Site 2/29/2016 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
State Environmental Policy Act 1
Document Title Document Date Document Type
SEPA Addendum for Reichhold/SSA Site 2016 2/26/2016 SEPA Documents
Technical Reports 3
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Draft Corrective Action Permit 5/13/2016 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Supplemental Focused Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study 2/29/2016 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Cleanup Action Plan Amendment for Reichhold/SSA Site 2/29/2016 Cleanup Action Plan
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

  • Southwest Regional Office
    300 Desmond Dr SE
    Lacey, 98503-1274
    Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
  • Citizens for a Healthy Bay
    535 Dock St., Suite 213
    Tacoma, 98402
    This location may only have print documents available during open comment periods.
  • Tacoma Public Library
    1102 Tacoma Avenue S
    Tacoma, 98402
    This location may only have print documents available during open comment periods.

Contaminants 2

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Halogenated Organics - Polychlorinated biPhenyls (PCB) C C
Non-Halogenated Organics - Phenolic Compounds C C
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.