Return to Use Initiative 2007 Demonstration Project Cleanup Midway Landfill: Kent, Washington


                              urn   TO  use  Initiativ
                2007   Demonstration   Project
 Midway   Landfi
 Kent, Washington
THE SITE:  The Midway Landfill located in Kent, Washington, is a 60-acre
former gravel quarry that operated as a municipal solid waste landfill from 1966
to 1983. In all, about three million cubic yards of waste were deposited in the
unlined landfill. While the Midway Landfill was created primarily to accept
demolition materials,  wood waste, and other slowly decomposing materials,
other industrial wastes made their way into the facility as well. In 1983, the
landfill was covered with silt and fine sands. Then in 1985,  combustible gas
was detected in structures around the landfill. Beginning in 1992, the City of
Seattle constructed a final cap over the site, refined landfill gas control measures,
and installed a storm  water and drainage control system. The remedial  work
performed by the City of Seattle at Midway Landfill since  1985  has greatly
improved the environmental conditions at the site. Construction of the  site's
remedy was completed in 2000. Potentially explosive gas has not migrated from
the property since 1990. The ground water beneath and down gradient of the
landfill is much cleaner than it was in  1985. The Washington Department of
Ecology (WDE), which is the lead regulatory agency at the site, is engaged in
ongoing monitoring of the gas containment system. Ground water monitoring at
the site is also underway and is regularly conducted by WDE.

THE OPPORTUNITY: The City of Seattle and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU),
which maintain the site, are interested in putting the  site to beneficial use. A
reuse evaluation and planning study has generated a framework that outlines a
range of potential uses for the site.  Reuse of the site could provide significant
benefits to the growing City of Kent.

THE BARRIERS: Seattle Public Utilities  has a fiduciary responsibility  to its
customers to receive fair market value for the site if it is sold. This could result in
a prohibitive price which could make it difficult to find a developer. Engineering
studies may also be required to determine the rate of settling on the portions of
the site designated for reuse.

THE SOLUTION: Beginning in May 2006, EPA coordinated an eight-month
reuse evaluation and planning study that included staff from the City of Seattle
and the City of Kent. During this period, EPA and staff from both cities evaluated
site conditions and potential barriers to reuse. EPA and staff from the City of
Seattle and City of Kent identified the next steps necessary to support future site
uses, including the possible need for an engineering study to better understand
the site's potential future settlement. The resulting report creates a framework
for thinking about a range of potential uses for the site. Coordination between
EPA and the  City of Seattle  will be needed to address regulatory issues, and
developing effective institutional controls for the site will be a critical next step
in ensuring protection  of human health and the environment. Portions of the site
Barriers:
Possible engineering problems
related to the landfill's settlement
rate; high sale price that may deter
developers

Solutions:
Study to address engineering
questions, development of
appropriate institutional controls,
delisting of uncontaminated portions
of the site
Before:
A vacant site

After:
Possible open space and recreational
uses
                                 perfund Redevelopment Initiati

-------
that are free of contamination could be considered for a partial deletion from the National Priorities List in order to provide
the City of Seattle with an opportunity to transfer these non-contaminated properties at a fair market value, while retaining
long-term ownership of the capped area, which could support appropriate recreational uses.

THE SITE NOW: Currently the landfill is capped and fenced.  Possible future uses include open space and recreational
uses. In the interim, the Washington Department of Transportation is utilizing a portion of the site located in a right of way
for an Interstate 5 road widening project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Timothy Brincefield, Region 10 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at
(206) 553-2100 or brincefield.timothy(g),epa.gov.
                                   perfund  Redevelopment Initiati

-------