What's new in the Toxics Cleanup Program

The Toxics Cleanup Program works to clean up contaminated sites that can harm your health and the environment. Check out our latest updates, then visit the Events Listings for more ways you can participate in this critical work.

Cleaning Up: Recent blog posts

Comments on draft memo accepted through May 10

You’re invited to submit comments on a draft memo that contains technical information for site managers who clean up contaminated sites. The memo is geared for cleanups happening near streams, lakes, and oceans, with information that helps protect the aquatic animals living there. 

The draft memo — Concentrations of fresh gasoline and diesel range organics predicted to be protective of aquatic receptors in surface waters (Draft Implementation Memo No. 23) — proposes new, protective concentrations for fresh gasoline and diesel range organics for aquatic biota (such as fish) that live in surface waters. 

• These concentrations are predicted to be protective of fish and crustaceans (such as shrimp) that live in saltwater or freshwater.
• The concentrations can be used at any contaminated site being cleaned up under Washington state's environmental cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act.
• The concentrations may be used to satisfy requirements of the Method B surface water cleanup levels outlined in our Cleanup Rule, WAC 173-340-730(3)(b)(ii)--Environmental Effects. 

Submit your comments online through Friday, May 10, 2019.
Read other cleanup memos and policies produced by the Toxics Cleanup Program.
Contact toxicologist Arthur Buchan for more information about draft memo no. 23.