Hilltop Apartments Development Site

Facility Site ID: 5823960 Cleanup Site ID: 3946

Site Description

Hilltop Apartments parking Area - from the south. Photo by Ecology.
Hilltop Apartments parking Area - from the south. Photo by Ecology.
The Hilltop Apartments Site is located in the City of Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington.  The Site consists of multiple parcels totaling approximately 1.58 acres located on the east side of South Mission Street, south of Crawford Street and north of Vista Street. 
 
The Site previously operated as an orchard. At the time of development activities, the Site was vacant, grass-covered land.  A private residence is present at the center of the Site’s western boundary and is surrounded by the Site on the north, south, and east sides.  The residence is not part of the development and was not included in Site investigation and evaluation.

Several investigations reported arsenic and lead concentrations above MTCA Method A cleanup levels.

Cleanup Activities

Remedial actions goals were accomplished to a large extent by Site construction activities.  Due to Site grading requirements, much of the material above MTCA Method A cleanup levels was relocated to the northern portion of the property.  Native soil containing residual agricultural chemicals above the remedial threshold was covered with impermeable parking, sidewalk, or building footprint areas; or was capped with 6 inches of topsoil and an additional 2 to 3 inches of sod.  In select locations landscaping fabric was covered with approximately 3 inches of gravel. 

Because contamination was capped at the Site at concentrations exceeding MTCA Method A Cleanup levels, institutional controls were required for the Site to be eligible for a No Further Action determination.  Institutional controls in the form of a restrictive covenant were recorded for Chelan County Parcel 222014230100 in August 2008 and a property-specific No Further Action determination for that parcel was issued in September 2008. 

No Further Action

In May 2021, Ecology issued a No Further Action determination for the Site. 

Ecology determined that the Hilltop Apartments Development Site consists of Chelan County Tax Parcel# 222014230100.  It was remediated in its entirety in 2008 during the development of the Hilltop Apartment complex. The portion of the property that was not remediated remains vacant. It has not changed to a land use that increases potential exposure to residual pesticides. The portion of the property that has not been developed will be remediated at the time that it is developed. It is not considered part of the Hilltop Apartments Site. The boundaries of the Site shall consist of the area that was remediated during the development and construction of Hilltop Apartments.

Periodic Reviews

Hilltop Apartments play equipment - from northwest. Photo by Ecology.
Hilltop Apartments play equipment - from northwest. Photo by Ecology.
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

Clean soil, asphalt, and building structures continue to serve as a cap and eliminate the direct exposure pathways to contaminated soils.  Based upon the site visit conducted in February 2021, no repair, maintenance or contingency actions have been required.   

The restrictive covenant for the Property was recorded and remains active.  There is no evidence that a new document has been recorded that limits the effectiveness or applicability of the covenant.  The restrictive covenant prohibits activities that will result in the release of contaminants contained as part of the cleanup without Ecology’s approval, and prohibits any use of the property that is inconsistent with the covenant.  This restrictive covenant serves to assure the long term integrity of the cap.
 
Soils with arsenic, lead, and DDT concentrations higher than MTCA Method A cleanup levels are still present at the Site.  However, the cap prevents human exposure to this contamination in the vicinity of the apartment complex.  The Restrictive Covenant for the Property will ensure that the integrity of the cap will be protected through maintaining the current use of the Property.  

Voluntary Cleanup Program

This site was cleaned up under our Voluntary Cleanup Program, which provides technical help to owners of contaminated sites.

Voluntary Cleanup Program customers pay fees to cover our costs for technical help and reviewing cleanup reports. Sites in this program must meet the same cleanup standards as the sites Ecology manages under legal orders.

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 #: 2287632
County Recording Date: 8/8/2008

Restrictions/Requirements

  • Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
  • Prohibit Soil Disturbance
  • Restrict Land Use

Restricted Media

  • Soil
Legal 1
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Hilltop Aparments Environmental Covenant 2287632 8/8/2008 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism
Technical Reports 4
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Hilltop Apartments Development Site - Notice of 2nd Periodic Review 6/3/2021 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Hilltop Apartments 2021 Periodic Review 2/1/2021 Periodic Review (5 Year)
Hilltop Apartments 2013 Periodic Review 10/17/2013 Periodic Review (5 Year)
Hilltop Apartments Remedial Actions Summary 9/17/2007 Remedial Action Report
Voluntary Cleanup Program 3
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Hilltop Apartments Limited Partnership - No Further Action 5/10/2021 VCP Opinion on Site Cleanup – NFA
Hilltop Apartments - VCP Opinion on Property Cleanup - No Further Action 9/23/2008 VCP Opinion on Property Cleanup – NFA
Hilltop Apartments - VCP Opinion on Site Cleanup - Partial Sufficiency 10/9/2007 Voluntary Cleanup Program Opinion – Other
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 3

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Pesticides - Halogenated Pesticides RA
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.