Tacoma Boat Building / ACE Tank

Our review of the Tacoma Boat Building / Ace Tank site shows that the cleanup appears to be protecting human health and the environment.

Ecology will review and respond to comments at the end of the comment period. We finalize the periodic review if no significant changes are made. We will hold a public meeting if 10 people request one.

Background

Testing from 1991–1996 showed that soil and sediments along the banks of and in the Hylebos Waterway were contaminated with sandblasting grit from this site. The grit contained arsenic, copper and zinc at concentrations exceeding the EPA’s sediment quality objectives. Testing also showed that groundwater was contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.

Ace Tank completed the cleanup from 1998–1999. They removed and disposed of equipment, solid materials and debris, and cleaned the site pavement and storm grains.

Ace Tank excavated and disposed of about 4,600 tons of sandblast grit and soil and sediments containing sandblast grit. Contaminated sediments from the shoreline down to the depth of the existing pier were removed. Deeper sediments were cleaned up later part of the EPA Superfund cleanup.

Ace Tank also recorded an environmental (restrictive) covenant for the site in 1999. The covenant prohibits activities that could result in the release of contaminants that remain at the site.