How the cleanup process works

Cleanup sites are construction projects that remove harmful contamination from our environment and put properties back into use. Sites can be as small as a gas station spill, or as large and complex as the Tacoma Smelter Plume that impacts thousands of acres. The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) drives the process to clean them up.

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The Model Toxics Control Act guides our work

Our Toxics Cleanup Program uses steps laid out in MTCA to conduct formal cleanups. Property owners who conduct independent cleanups might not follow all these steps but still must meet MTCA's cleanup standards.

The difference between “formal” and “independent” cleanups

Ecology conducts or supervises formal cleanups when property owners are under court order or decree, or when cleanups are funded by legislative initiatives. You can provide input during public meetings and comment periods.
Property owners can conduct independent cleanups on their own or with help from our Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP). Owners set their own timelines. They can ask for our help through the VCP but don't have to. They only need to hold public meetings or comment periods if a site is being removed from the Hazardous Sites List.

Both formal and independent cleanups must meet MTCA standards. Read more about cleanup options.

The steps in the MTCA cleanup process

Infographic showing the MTCA process steps, as outlined in the text below.

Discovery & Initial Investigation. Find a hazardous spill or suspect one happened in the past?Report it to Ecology and we’ll investigate. Owners may clean it up at this stage. If not, we'll add it to our Confirmed & Suspected Contaminated Sites List.
Hazard Assessment. We'll rank the site’s hazard by comparing it to known sites. If it’s a threat, it goes on our Hazardous Sites List.
Remedial Investigation & Feasibility Study. Scientific studies show us how far contamination traveled and help us develop cleanup options.
Cleanup action plan. We’ll collaborate to develop a plan that specifies standards, methods, and schedules.
Cleanup. We’ll work with the responsible people to clean up and remove sources of pollution.
Extra steps and legal actions. We’ll take steps to make sure cleanups protect your health and the environment.
De-listing. We'll remove the site from the Hazardous Sites List after it meets cleanup standards and requirements.

Find more detail about each step and relevant law and policy below.

Notice a leak from an underground storage tank? Report it to Ecology within 24 hours. Find another type of hazardous spill? Report it to Ecology within 90 days. We’ll conduct an initial investigation and follow up with tank or property owners. Simple sites may get cleaned up at this stage. Complex sites take longer. We’ll send early notice letters to owners and collaborate to solve the problem.

Rules & policies

When we can't rule out contamination or ensure it gets cleaned up during the initial investigation, we (or local health department partners) will conduct a Site Hazard Assessment (SHA). This evaluates the potential risk to human health and the environment. We'll assign a hazard ranking score using the Washington Ranking Method and add the site to our Hazardous Sites List.

Rules & policies

We may issue an:

Agreed Order to formalize an agreement between Washington state and potentially liable persons (PLPs) for actions needed at the site.
Enforcement Order, requiring cleanup. Failure to comply may result in penalties and substantial liability for costs.

Rules & policies

Courts of law may approve and issue a:

Consent Decree to formalize an agreement between Washington state and PLPs about actions needed at the site.
De Minimis Consent Decree stating that the amount of contamination contributed by one or more PLPs is insignificant in amount or toxicity.
Prospective Purchaser Consent Decree indicating that a person wants to purchase, redevelop, or reuse the site, is not currently liable for cleanup at a site.

Rules & policies

We collect and analyze environmental data to learn how far contamination has traveled and potential impacts to human health and the environment. Next, we identify and select options in Remedial Investigation & Feasibility Study (RI/FS) reports. A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review may also be required. Watch for opportunities to comment on drafts in the Site Register and Public Input & Events Listing.

Rules & policies

WAC 173-340-350, and -355 through -370

Using public comments and Remedial Investigation & Feasibility Study (RI/FS) data, we work with many people and agencies to develop the plan. This specifies cleanup methods, standards, and schedules. It also describes any monitoring needed during and after the cleanup. Find opportunities in our Site Register and Public Input & Events Listing to comment and attend public meetings.

Rules & policies

WAC 173-340-380

Cleanups are construction projects that remove or isolate hazardous waste from the environment. Engineering Design Reports define these activities, such as how we’ll remove a leaking underground storage tank.

Cleanups can be dirty, costly, and take years to complete but they’re transforming the environment, like Port Gamble Bay. There, we're using barge-mounted cranes to dredge contaminated sediment and remove tons of creosote-soaked debris. Shellfish and wildlife are returning to the shoreline where a lumber mill once stood.

Rules & policies

WAC 173-340-400 and -410

We may:

Refer cleanup emergencies to Ecology’s Spills Program for immediate action.
Take interim remedial actions to reduce risk to human health and environment, and partially clean up contamination.
Use environmental covenants (also called institutional controls) that prohibit certain activities that could expose people to hazardous waste remaining at a site, or impact a cleanup’s integrity over time.
Conduct monitoring, Five-Year Periodic Reviews, and ongoing operations and maintenance to ensure cleanups meet MTCA standards and protect your health.

Rules & policies

Contact information

Policy & Technical Support Unit
360-407-7170

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How the cleanup process works

I want to...

The Model Toxics Control Act guides our work

The difference between “formal” and “independent” cleanups

The steps in the MTCA cleanup process

Related links

Contact information