Ecology welcomes review and comment on permit for Boeing Auburn cleanup site

Contaminated groundwater extends under parts of Algona and Auburn

For the Reporter

The Washington Department of Ecology invites the public to review a draft permit for environmental cleanup work by The Boeing Company at its aircraft parts manufacturing facility in Auburn. The comment period runs through Sept. 7, 2018.

Boeing conducts the work under a Corrective Action Permit, which has come up for renewal. Ecology proposes to reissue the permit. This is a procedural step, not a result of any new development on the site.

Boeing conducted a formal investigation of soil and groundwater contamination at the Auburn site from 2002 to 2017. The study included contaminated groundwater that extends outside the company’s property into parts of Algona and Auburn. Groundwater samples from the area contain contamination at concentrations that are not expected to pose a risk to human health or the environment.

Boeing is preparing a report on cleanup options that Ecology expects to release for public review and comment next year.

Documents available for review:

• Corrective Action Permit and Application: Permit that requires Boeing to continue cleaning up the property.

• Public Participation Plan: Creates a process to communicate with and receive feedback from the public about the cleanup.

The materials are available on Ecology’s website. Information on the investigation and cleanup process is available in English and Spanish. Printed copies are available for review at:

• Algona-Pacific Branch, King County Library, 255 Ellingson Road, Pacific

• Ecology’s Northwest Regional Office, 3190 160th Ave. SE, Bellevue. By appointment: 435-649-7090 or NWRO_Public_Request@ecy.wa.gov.

Submit comments:

• Online: bit.ly/boeingcap

• Email: Robin.Harrover@ecy.wa.gov

• U.S. mail: Boeing Auburn Comments, Dept. of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave. SE, Bellevue WA 98008-5452

People with questions about the investigation may contact Ecology at 253-219-7645 or Robin.Harrover@ecy.wa.gov.