Ecology: Rocky Top west of Yakima landfill is contaminated and must be cleaned up | Local
The state Department of Ecology declared Rocky Top west of Yakima to be contaminated and requires cleanup.
Ecology sent a Sept. 28 letter to DTG Recycle stating that DTG Recycle emits unsafe levels of benzene, naphthalene, and other chemicals into the atmosphere.
“These chemicals are sourced from petroleum hydrocarbons which are also classified as hazardous substances,” the letter said.
Ecology’s letter to DTG Recycle
DTG officials claim that the company has been operating in compliance since October 2019, when it acquired the landfill.
“We are doing everything we’re supposed to be doing per our permit,” said landfill manager Aaron Enebrad.
DTG’s legal team is preparing a response to the findings and will work with Ecology to resolve the matter, Enebrad said.
Emily Tasaka, Ecology spokeswoman, stated that DTG has not yet responded to the complaint but will do so by Oct. 28.
She said air sampling done inside the landfill’s waste indicated the presence of petroleum.
Residents furious at Rocky Top landfill expansion prompts environmental probes
“What the testing doesn’t show is how it got there,” she said. “Our investigation may be able to provide some answers, but it is also possible we won’t be able to fully answer that question.”
A technical memo with further discussion about sampling at the site can be found on Ecology’s website.
Tasaka stated that Ecology will collaborate with DTG to develop a cleanup plan.
“Until that’s done, we won’t know what cleanup will entail, but DTG will be responsible for it,” she said.
DTG has been at odds since it acquired the company that was previously known as Anderson Rock or Demolition Pit.
Neighbors have complained about the smell, dust and presence of more trucks at this site since it was transferred to new ownership. Neighbors also complained that the company was rock blasting as part of an expansion plan.
The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy manages several trails and natural habitat in the Rocky Top area.
The Yakima Ecology and Yakima Health District received complaints that they wanted to examine the operation. They discovered a crack where excessive heat and gas were leaking from.
While environmental studies were being done, expansion plans were halted.
Under previous ownership, the site was home to a gravel mine, limited purpose landfill that only accepted construction waste and a petroleum-contaminated soils site, where contaminated soils from filling stations and the like could be brought to decompose.
DTG still manages the site for petroleum-contaminated soils, but has stopped accepting new contaminated soil. The company accepts only construction waste and has a recycling center.
DTG has complied with recommendations made by regulators to address neighbors’ complaints, Enebrad said.
“Anything they have asked us, we’ve been going over and beyond,” he said.
