Your Comments Needed on Railyard Cleanup | Environment

A railyard that has served the Spokane area for nearly 100 years is about to be cleaned up by the Department of Ecology. The facility, formerly known as Yardley, lies over the Spokane valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. Before the cleanup begins, the Department of Ecology wants to hear from you.

The property covers 130 acres and is centered at 5302 E. Trent. While the property has been in use for years, today it is used for fueling, switching rail cars and other activity.

Ecology investigations have revealed that the site contains contaminants in seven areas that exceed state standards. Those contaminants include petroleum hydrocarbons, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and others.

"Cleaning up this site will help protect the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which provides drinking water to about 600,000 residents," said site manager Sandra Treccani, with the Department of Ecology (Ecology) Toxics Cleanup Program in Spokane. "The actions we take there will reduce the possibility of people being exposed to the toxic contaminants."

The documents that explain the cleanup plan are now subject to public review. You have a month to do so. Documents can be viewed at the Dept. of Ecology office in Spokane and online