In 1998 the Port of Seattle purchased the Lora Lake Apartments property to meet FAA requirements for a flight safety zone for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Third Runway. Prior to the construction of the Lora Lake Apartments complex in 1986, the developer of that project performed cleanup of contamination from the prior 45 or so years of industrial use. With the
Washington Department of Ecology’s acceptance of the work performed, the apartment buildings were constructed. However, as the port prepared to establish the required safety zone, it discovered that not all the contamination had been removed. Further investigation showed that significant levels of dioxin and other contaminants remained. In the former industrial work areas of the property, contamination had spread to surface soils and had impacted ground water elsewhere in the property.
Working closely with the Department of Ecology since 2008, the Port has been collecting data to fully define and characterize site conditions and determine whether the former site operations may have also impacted the adjacent Lora Lake. A public review draft of the Port’s report of site conditions, analysis of alternative methods for managing those conditions, and cleanup recommendations, will be provided to the Department of Ecology in January of 2013. Ecology will establish a public review and comment period, including a public information meeting, in mid-2013.
When cleanup is completed, the portion of the property not required for use as a safety zone will be redeveloped in cooperation with the
City of Burien, for a use that is compatible with Sea -Tac aviation operations.