Evaluating cleanup options
Contaminants like petroleum or lead in the environment can harm living things. Cleanups remove, treat, or contain contamination, making safer places for people and animals. Under the state’s environmental cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), cleanups must protect human health and the environment. They must also be as permanent as practicable. The MTCA Cleanup Regulations specify how to find out which cleanup option meets that requirement. We developed the Permanent to the Maximum Extent Practicable (PMEP) Guidance and tool to help cleanup practitioners work through this process, which we're calling a PMEP evaluation.
Conducting a PMEP evaluation
The PMEP evaluation must be included in a feasibility study unless the selected cleanup option is permanent or a model remedy. To learn more about permanent and non-permanent cleanups, download the focus sheet Making cleanups as permanent as practicable.
All cleanup options must protect human health and the environment. Before starting a PMEP evaluation, screen out non-protective cleanup options. Every option evaluated must protect living things. All options evaluated must also comply with any other applicable cleanup requirements.
Guidance and tool
The PMEP Guidance describes two methods for performing PMEP evaluations: narrative and semi-quantitative. The Microsoft Excel tool helps with semi-quantitative PMEP evaluations.
Responding to public input
We shared the draft guidance and tool for public review and comment in spring 2025. We extended the original thirty-day comment period another two weeks by public request. We thank the organizations and individuals who provided valuable feedback. We incorporated it into the final guidance as appropriate. You can read our response to comments.
Contact information
Mahbub Alam
Senior Principal Engineer
mahbub.alam@ecy.wa.gov
360-280-6274