The Colombia Lace site is a former plant and flower drying operation located approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Bridgeport, Okanogan County, Washington (T29N, R25E, Section 13), within the Colville Indian Reservation on Jack Wells Road. The site is approximately 120 acres in size and is located approximately 1 mile from the Columbia River at its closest point.
There are no known flood plains, endangered species, historical landmarks, or structures with historical significance identified at the Site. There are Tribal interests in the site. EPA received a request from the Colville Confederated Tribes to conduct a removal assessment at this abandoned business located within tribal boundaries. The Tribe expressed concerns over the abandoned drums on site and potential exposures to tribal members.
Ownership History
The Colombia Lace site is currently owned by Karen Burns. She has owned and operated the facility for approximately 10 years before shutting it down in 1996 after the site began to flood. Prior to the flower drying operation, the site had been part of a cattle ranch owned by Jack and Melvin Wells.
The flower drying facility used glycerin, methanol, toluene, xylene, oil-based paints, dyes, and pigments to produce the dried plants. In general, plants were placed in a glycerin/water/food coloring mixture, allowed to soak, and then dried in the greenhouses on site. Dried plants were then painted using a pneumatic paint gun. According to the owner, solvents were used only during the painting process. During the final years of operation, Colombia Lace replaced oil-based paints with water-based paints and pigments. During peak operation, the facility employed 60 to 100 people.
Monday, July 8, 2002: (ERRS-7, START-2, EPA-1, Security-1) ERRS, START, and EPA mobilized to the site to conduct removal action to address abandoned drums, containers, and pentachlorophenol-contaminated soils associated with a fencepost dip container partially buried in the ground. EPA mobile comand post is being used for this time critical removal action. ERRS removed and staged all waste paint-related drums and containers from the Quonset hut on site. ERRS also began to remove and stage all empty drums from the large abandoned drum pile (over 200 drums). Removing empty drums and containers will assist with sampling and analysis of the unknowns.
Tuesday, July 9, 2002: (ERRS-7, START-2, EPA-1, Security-1) ERRS continued to remove waste paint-related materials, and stage them for consolidation into containment bags for disposal. ERRS excavated approximately 18 cubic yards of pentachlorophenol-contaminated wastes associated with the fence post dipping container. Contaminated soils staged. START collected samples for field analysis using immunoassay test kits. Cultural Resourse Specialist on site to monitor excavation to comply with National Historic Preservation Act and the Native American Graves Protection and repatriation act. ERRS used boom truck to remove drums from wetland area. ERRS also mobilized two 40 yard rolloff bins for disposal of crushed drums and other wastes.
Continue gathering waste from various locations, consolidate debris waste into the rolloff bins, sample and conduct hazard categorization of the content of the unknown drums. Transportation and off-site disposal of wastes on site. Confirmation of the soil excavation and backfilling with native soils.
Categorize wastes in drums
Segregate wastes into waste streams
Bulk like wastes to reduce transportation costs and dispose off site.
Dispose of pcp-contaminated soils off site.
Remove contaminated debris off site.
Monday - Forklift stuck in soft wet ground, however, removed using excavator.
Tuesday - Excavator stuck in mud, wet area on slope. Used Heavy duty tow truck to remove excavator. Removed successfully, however, the arm was damaged, and a hydraulic oil line leaked. Cultural Resource Specialist did not see any cultural artifacts nor human remains, however, did see vintage auto parts and purple glass fragments in an on site dump area up from the excavation. She also spotted a possible pigmy rabbit-an endangered species. OSC contact USFW. Awaiting answer and have stopped work in that area.
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