North Cascade Ford Characterization and Cleanup

MFA supported the characterization and cleanup of a former automobile dealership and repair shop, MFA conducted site investigation activities, risk evaluation, remedy selection, and interim remedial actions at the property. Site characterization and cleanup was completed through coordinating the use of historical insurance recovery funds and securing access to adjacent Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) property. Characterization and closure were navigated through the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Voluntary Cleanup Program. Work on this site required extensive coordination among multiple stakeholders, including former and current property owners, leasees, attorneys, and insurance representatives. Contamination was largely the result of vehicle maintenance operations, leaking underground storage tanks, and historical coal storage. Characterization involved extensive subsurface investigations, data analysis, and an interim remedial action that involved decommissioning underground storage tanks, treating contaminated soil and groundwater, and applying in situ bioremediation all conducted while the facility remained operational. 

After completing the remedial investigation, MFA coordinated with Ecology to select and implement a cleanup action that included the excavation and off-site disposal of over 4,100 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil, dewatering and treatment of more than 142,000 gallons of water, application of in situ bioremediation, and the decommissioning of leaking underground storage tanks. MFA also prepared an environmental covenant to support ongoing compliance monitoring, leading to a property-specific No Further Action (NFA) opinion from Ecology in January 2023. When unauthorized use of the property by a railroad contractor resulted in a notice of non-compliance with the covenant, MFA worked closely with all parties to restore compliance, resolving the issue within a few months. The site is now under long-term groundwater monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the cleanup efforts.