Manson – The Washington State Department of Ecology is providing an opportunity for the public comment on the Interim Remedial Action Plan and the issuance of a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) for the soil cleanup at Manson Elementary School, Manson, Washington. 

The DOE are planning to do a cleanup of contaminated soil at the Manson School Playground.  The soil has been determined to have exceedingly high levels of Arsenic and Lead.  The chemicals were a popular spray in the orchards until 1947.  Arsenic levels are reported at 95 parts per million with cleanup required at 20 ppm.  Seven contaminated sample sites yielded lead levels of 700 ppm on average with the standard cleanup being 250 ppm. The action plan lists several options but recommends excavating the top six inches of soil and disposing in a landfill.  Clean soil can then be brought in and a new turf planted along with irrigation systems. 

The work can begin as early as July 17 and would be completed before the start of school.  The expenses will be covered by the DOE and can range from $50,000 up to $500,000.

Please address any written comments or questions you may have on the soil cleanup or the DNS to Bob Swackhamer at Toxics Cleanup Program, Ecology Central Regional Office, 15 W Yakima Ave., Suite 200, Yakima, WA 98902 or call (509) 454-7840.