Albany Democrat-Herald

MILLERSBURG - The state Department of Environmental Quality has given final approval to an environmental project at Wah Chang and declared it complete.

Under this project, the company evaluated 32 areas of "environmental concern" at the Millersburg metals factory, cleaned up where necessary and otherwise allayed any concerns.

The DEQ said that from October 2001 through November 2004, Wah Chang prepared and submitted work plans to DEQ that investigated the potential release of contaminants such as solvents, PCBs, petroleum compounds, metals, radionuclides, fluorides, and nitrates at 32 locations.

Items in the evaluation included such things as checking whether sumps were still working in containing pollution, and whether discolored soil indicated a polluted site.

The areas were treated or otherwise represent no more risk to human health or the environment, the agency found.

Nancy Gramlich, the project manager for the DEQ in Salem, said the agency asked for public comment in January. None was received, and the DEQ declared the project done on March 15.

This evaluation and cleanup, done under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), is separate from and unrelated to Wah Chang's continued status as a federal "Superfund" site. The Superfund program calls for long-term monitoring and actions, and it continues.

As for the RCRA project, the DEQ said: "Based on the review of information for these areas, DEQ determined that no additional investigation or action is required at these locations."

Gramlich can be reached at (503) 378-8240 ext. 259 or by email at gramlich.nancy@deq.state.or.us.

The Wah Chang plant covers 110 acres between I-5 and the Willamette River, and an additional 65 acres one mile north of the main plant.

The company, founded in 1956, makes zirconium and other metals for the nuclear and chemical industries and for other applications.