3815_PGSF WMVD Pkg 2_Vol 4-2_03.03.2026_BXWA_Certified

ASPECT CONSULTING PROJECT NO. AS190583A-08  MAY 21, 2025 FINAL 1 1 Introduction This report presents the remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) for the Upland Area of the Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Site, a former pulp and paper mill located at 2600 Federal Avenue in Everett, Washington (herein referred to as the Site; Figure 1-1). This report is prepared for submittal to the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) in accordance with the provisions of Agreed Order No. DE 94761 (Agreed Order, as amended) between Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. (K-C), the Port of Everett, and Ecology. The Agreed Order can be viewed on Ecology’s website using the following weblink: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/gsp/CleanupSiteDocuments.aspx?csid=2569. Note that all documents referenced throughout this report as being available on Ecology’s website can be accessed using the weblink above. The Site, as defined in the Agreed Order, includes portions of upland and in-water areas (consisting of intertidal and subtidal areas and adjacent marine waters) where hazardous substances have been deposited, stored, disposed of, placed, or otherwise come to be located. The Agreed Order specifically addresses the Upland Area, which is the portion of the Site inland of mean higher high water (MHHW). The In-Water Area, seaward of MHHW, is being addressed under a separate Agreed Order for the East Waterway (Agreed Order No. DE 11350). The investigation and cleanup of the Upland Area are being conducted under the Washington State Model Toxics Control Act Cleanup Regulation (MTCA; Chapter 173-340 of the Washington Administrative Code [WAC 173-340]). The Ecology-approved Work Plan for Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study for the Upland Area (RI/FS Work Plan; Aspect, 2013c) presented the detailed scope of work for the RI/FS and can be viewed on Ecology’s website. This report presents information obtained during Upland Area investigations completed between 1989 and 2012, the first interim cleanup action (IA) conducted in 2013-2014, the RI characterization completed between 2013 and 2017 and the second IA conducted in 2020, to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the nature and extent of contamination in order to develop and evaluate appropriate cleanup action alternatives for the Upland Area The first IA, completed in 2013-2014, involved the excavation and off-Site disposal of approximately 38,500 tons of contaminated material. The second IA, completed in 2020, involved the excavation and off-Site disposal of 17,610 tons of contaminated material as well as the inspection, cleaning, and plugging of nearly 20 pipelines, including City of Everett’s combined sewer outfall (CSO) pipe and outfall PS04, that discharged to the East Waterway. In addition to the first two IAs that K-C implemented, the Port completed a third IA in May 2023 that included site grading, construction of a 33-acre low-permeability cap, utility installation, outfall reconstruction, soil and groundwater management, and security fencing installation (Landau, 2024). In addition, the City of Everett (City) constructed a 1 Including the Second Amendment to Agreed Order No. DE 9476, executed on May 18, 2021.