Cleanup of contaminated soil, groundwater, and sediment improve the environment, allow redevelopment, and protect human and ecological health. But each site, each contaminant, raises issues that need to be addressed. EnviroIssues’ experience ranges from nuclear waste to contaminated in-water sediments, and we have built a track record of effective facilitation, outreach, risk communication, and technical integration.
Agreement Avoids Lawsuits and Moves Cleanup Forward

In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated an alternative dispute resolution process to support a voluntary cleanup of the Thea Foss/Wheeler-Osgood Waterways, a listed Superfund site in Tacoma. With more than 100 parties represented, EnviroIssues convened the participants group, helped negotiate an arbitration agreement, and facilitated communications between the arbitrator/mediator, participants, and regulatory agencies. We helped the group achieve agreement on cost allocation, and helped the cleanup parties inform and involve the residents and businesses in the Thea Foss area. Today the cleanup is contributing to
the redevelopment of this newly vibrant
urban waterway.

 
Historical Contamination Cleanup

The small town of Skykomish supported maintenance and fueling facilities for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway throughout much of the 20th century. These operations resulted in significant soil and groundwater contamination. EnviroIssues helped the railroad engage the local community in the cleanup effort, by facilitating workshops, preparing public information materials, meeting with residents, updating the project Web site, and responding to a 24-hour, toll-free information line. As cleanup proceeds, we serve onsite to help residents cope with construction impacts, including moving houses and a significant cleanup activity in the river as it runs through town.

 
Cleaning Up Contaminated Sites in Washington

Washington’s initiative-driven Model Toxics Control Act set the framework for cleaning up contaminated sites statewide. A 22-member committee was commissioned to take another look at the law and its regulations, updating them to current standards and lessons learned through over a decade of implementation. EnviroIssues facilitated the intensive two-year committee effort, which used statewide technical resources, case studies, risk assessment, and strong legal and policy capabilities. The Washington Legislature adopted bipartisan legislation making the agreed upon changes law, and authorizing the Department of Ecology to issue revised regulations. Today, site cleanups all over the state proceed more smoothly with the improved regulatory framework.