Ecology invites you to review and comment on the Phase 2 Interim Remedial Action Preliminary Design Report for the Gold Knob Prospects a.k.a. Saddle Rock Park site located at 1200 Circle Street, commonly known as Circle Street and Dry Gulch Road in Wenatchee. An Interim Action is a partial or short-term cleanup of contamination and is meant to reduce exposure to harmful contaminants while a long-term cleanup plan is worked on.
In the late 1800s until 1989, areas of Saddle Rock Park were prospected for gold. This mining exploration resulted in the creation of waste rock piles. In 2011, Ecology collected soil samples from the waste rock piles and testing revealed high concentrations of arsenic, mercury, selenium, and silver. The arsenic and metals in soil exceed state standards for the protection of human health and the environment. Cleanup at the site will reduce or eliminate exposure to contaminants. The site has hiking trails and is popular with hikers and horseback riders.