The State Department of Ecology has released its first monitoring review of the contaminated Bainbridge landfill site off of Vincent Road.

The data gathered shows that concentrations of hazardous chemicals have decreased drastically since the completion of cleanup on the site in 2001, but that the area is “not yet protective of human health and the environment.”

In 1992, the site was listed as hazardous and given the state’s highest risk ranking.

Investigation at the site in the 1990s found low levels of volatile organic compounds, such as those found in paints and solvents, in nearby groundwater. The landfill cover soils and site surface water were also found to be contaminated.

The site was operated as a landfill between 1942 and 1975 and took a variety of highly toxic industrial materials such as tank bottoms from the nearby Wyckoff wood treatment facility, and petroleum products.

The primary concern at the site is that those contaminants would continue to seep into groundwater used by nearby residents for drinking water.

The DOE report concluded that groundwater contamination would not cause a “public health hazard.”

The Cleanup Action Plan (CAP) approved by DOE anticipated that 30 years of monitoring would be required until safe groundwater levels have been achieved at the landfill.

Excavation of more than 1,400 tons of contaminated materials, and capping of the site, were completed in September 2001.

The purpose of the review is to determine whether cleanup action has been effective in protecting human health and the environment and whether the CAP is being followed.

DOE is now taking written comments on its action plan and its five-year review.

To submit your written comments, or for more information on the landfill site visit: DOE

Comments must be received by March 16.