Model remedies under the Model Toxics Control Act

What is a model remedy?

Model remedies are standardized methods for cleaning up routine contamination at sites that pose lower risks to people and the environment.

The state's cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), defines model remedies as: “a set of technologies, procedures, and monitoring protocols identified by Ecology for use in routine types of cleanup projects at facilities that have common features and lower risk to human health and the environment.”

What are the goals for model remedies?

• To simplify the selection of cleanup actions that protect human health and the environment.
• To use cleanup solutions that are permanent, to the maximum extent practical.

How do you know if a model remedy can be used for your site?

Model remedies are most appropriate for routine cleanup projects at lower risk sites, and usually more applicable to independent cleanups like those in the Voluntary Cleanup Program. Before you consider a model remedy, you'll need to make sure these steps in the MTCA cleanup process have been completed:

1. A release to the environment has been confirmed.
2. Ecology has been notified of the release.
3. Emergency/interim actions have been implemented (if appropriate).
4. An adequate site characterization has been completed.

Review our two petroleum model remedies guidance documents (see links below), then contact your region's cleanup project manager or Model Remedies Coordinator Mahbub Alam. They can help you confirm if a model remedy is appropriate for your site.

What have we done so far?

• Awarded 240+ sites "No Further Action" letters for cleanups that used a model remedy.
• Developed seven remedies for arsenic and lead-contaminated soil. Our earliest approach to model remedies dealt with the cleanup of soils contaminated by arsenic and lead in the Tacoma Smelter plume. We also have remedies for former orchard lands.
• Developed seven remedies for petroleum-contaminated soil. We updated our Model Remedies for Sites with Petroleum Contaminated Soils in 2017. This guidance discusses model remedies for sites with soil contaminated only by petroleum.
• Developed 12 remedies for groundwater impacted by petroleum. We also updated our Model Remedies for Sites with Petroleum Impacts to Groundwater in 2017. This guidance discusses model remedies for sites where groundwater is impacted by petroleum.
• Produced a 2016 progress report. Status of Developing Model Remedies: 2016 Report to the Governor and Legislature was required by RCW 70.105D.030(4).

Why are we developing model remedies?

In 2013, the Washington Legislature made significant changes to MTCA. One of the changes gave us new directions about these standardized cleanup methods. As now required by MTCA, our Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) has developed model remedies for common cleanup situations.

How did we develop them?

We held several public meetings in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The public provided comments and feedback on the development process. We incorporated some of those comments into our final guidance documents and prepared a response to all the public comments.

How can I get involved or learn more?

Contact Mark Gordon, Ecology’s Model Remedies Coordinator, to sign up for our distribution list and include "Email Distribution List” in the subject line. We'll use this list to occasionally send you updates on vapor intrusion and empirical demonstrations, too.