North Star Lodge

The North Star Lodge Site currently operates as a blood disorder and cancer care facility. A Phase I Environmental Assessment was conducted at the site in 1998. It was determined that the Site had operated as an orchard earlier in the century, and was likely to contain residual pesticide area-wide soil contamination.

On-site management of contaminated soils was selected as the most appropriate remedial action for the Site.  This remedial option was selected because contamination was spread throughout the entire Site.  Off-site disposal would require excavation of a large quantity of soil and would have subjected the property owner to costs disproportionate to the environmental benefit.  
 
Generally, contaminated surface materials from the Site were used as fill during construction.  It was determined that approximately 1,800-cubic yards of material could not be used, and would need to be relocated offsite to accommodate final site grading.  These excess soils were relocated to the other side of 39th Street, to a property that has the same ownership as the Site and was part of the same historic orchard property.  The relocated soil was graded and stabilized with grass. 
 
Approximately 1,200 cubic yards of contaminated soils were contained onsite as part of the remedial action.  Due to site grading requirements, most of this material was relocated to the south end of the Site.  These materials were covered with impermeable parking, sidewalk, or building footprint areas; or were capped with 6 inches of clean topsoil and an additional 2 to 3 inches of landscaping material such as sod or bark.  In 2002, a restrictive covenant was recorded for the Site.

Based upon cleanup activities and the recording of the restrictive covenant, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment.  Ecology issued a No Further Action determination in 2002.

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

Based upon site visits conducted in September 2008, October 2013, and April 2019, clean soil, asphalt, and building structures continue to serve as a cap for the Site and eliminate human exposure pathways (ingestion, contact) to contaminated soils. No repair, maintenance or contingency actions have been required.
 
The cleanup actions completed at the Site are protective of human health and the environment. 

Soil cleanup levels have not been met at the Site; however, the cleanup action for the Property is determined to comply with cleanup standards under WAC 173-340-740(6)(f), since the long-term integrity of the containment system is ensured and the requirements for containment technologies have been met. 

The restrictive covenant for the property is in place and continues to be effective in protecting public health and the environment from exposure to hazardous substances and protecting the integrity of the cleanup action.