A secondary lead smelter and lead oxide production facility operated on this ten-acre site in northwest Portland from 1949 to 1981. The facility disposed of roughly 87,000 tons of battery casings on-site and discharged about six million gallons of acid into a nearby lake. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in September 1983. The site is now deleted from that list, meaning cleanup has been completed to EPA's satisfaction.
Lead and lead compounds are the contaminants of concern here. They were found in soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater. Solid waste at the site also contained lead compounds.
Cleanup work was organized into three operable units covering soils, groundwater, and sitewide concerns. Between 1993 and 1995, about 24,500 tons of battery casings were excavated and treated, with 88 tons of coarse lead and 244 tons of plastic recycled off-site. Remaining contaminated material was excavated, stabilized, and placed in an on-site containment facility with a double liner and leachate collection system, finished in December 1999. A protective composite cap and topsoil cover were added in summer 2000. For groundwater, EPA determined no further action was needed, and that decision was formalized in September 2000. EPA signed a Final Close-Out Report in August 2002.
Human exposure is under control, with no unacceptable exposure pathways identified. Groundwater migration is also under control, with contamination stabilized and no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site has achieved Construction Complete status and is considered ready for anticipated reuse. Restrictive covenants prevent residential or agricultural use and protect the containment facility, cap, and monitoring wells. The Responsible Parties perform quarterly inspections and groundwater monitoring. EPA conducts five-year reviews, with the most recent completed in September 2022 confirming the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment. The next review is estimated between September and November 2027.
Community members can report observations about site conditions, such as damage to fencing or signage, directly to EPA. For questions about the cleanup, contact the EPA Remedial Project Manager or the Community Involvement Coordinator. Site records are available at the Multnomah County Library Central Library in Portland or at the EPA Region 10 Superfund Record Center in Seattle, reachable at R10_SF_Records_Center@epa.gov or (800) 424-4372 extension 4494.
