L-Bar cleanup site, Chewelah

Ecology reviewed groundwater monitoring data gathered from 2018–2023. Although state standards haven't been met, the cleanup still protects people and the environment. Some of the contaminants are decreasing at slower rates than expected, so the cleanup will likely take longer than the 20–30 years predicted when the Cleanup Action Plan was completed in 2000.

However, by removing the sources of contamination, continuing to use the property for industrial use, and ensuring that the restrictions in the covenant that document remaining contamination are followed, overall risk to people and the environment will remain low.

Learn more

• Review the draft periodic review.
• Visit our L-Bar cleanup site page.

Next steps

Ecology will review all comments received during the comment period and update the periodic review if needed. If no significant changes are made, the periodic revi​​ew will become final. If significant changes are made, an additional public comment period will be held. We will hold a public meeting if 10 or more people request one.​​​

Site history

The site was used for metals processing from the early 1900s until 1991 by Northwest Magnesite and then L-Bar Products. When the plant closed, an estimated 100,000+ tons of flux bar and its residues were left on the site.​ Flux bar is a magnesium-processing byproduct​ from which L-Bar was recovering magnesium granules.

Cleanup actions included:

• Removing flux bar, flux bar residue, and contaminated soil and disposing of it off-site 
• Improving surface water drainage controls 
• Allowing contaminants in soil and shallow groundwater to dissipate naturally over time
• Long-term monitoring​​

About periodic reviews

We conduct a periodic review at least every five years after beginning cleanup at a site, and this is the third review for L-Bar. The purpose of the review is to evaluate current site conditions and to ensure the continued protection of people and the environment.