State Dept. of Ecology Identifies Remedies for Contaminated Manson Subdivision Property

Washington Department of Ecology is wrapping up a pilot project at a Manson based residential development, the Cameo Residential Development. Ecology provided Chelan County funding and assistance to identify remedies for high amounts of arsenic and lead found in the new residential subdivision's soil.

Talos Construction had purchased five acres to subdivide into 20 single family lots when testing revealed the contamination. The department's Toxics Cleanup Program provided $225,000 as part of its pilot project to remedy the property.

"We worked with stakeholders, the building community, county commissioners and one of the concerns that came out was how much was this going to cost and where do I get clean soil?" said Joye Redfield-Wilder, Dept. of Ecology communications. "We went through the whole process; identifying where the contamination would be, how to get clean soil to replace the dirty soil and also look at other ways to provide protective barriers."

Redfield-Wilder added protective barriers include parking lots or driveway, a house footprint. The project revealed it was roughly $5,000 per parcel for cleanup costs.

"You just make sure those remedies are adequate," said Redfield-Wilder. "It was a great opportunity to test these things and see that it can be done."

It's not uncommon for historical orchards to have high levels of lead and arsenic due to past pesticide use. The pilot project serves as an opportunity to discover avenues of effective remedies for future developers and contractors.