IRONDALE — Irondale Beach Park has been put on a high-priority list of contaminated locations as part of the state’s Puget Sound Initiative.
The initiative is an effort led by Gov. Chris Gregoire to protect and restore Puget Sound, Hood Canal and the Strait of Juan de Fuca by cleaning toxic sites, restoring habitat and preventing oil spills and other contamination, said Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Tyler.
Tyler said he considers Irondale Beach Park’s inclusion on the Puget Sound Initiative list as a way to ensure the county park will be a safe place for community members.
“This is a park, so there will be a bunch of little kids around,” said Tyler.
“We’ll have to protect them.”
Research is currently being done at the site to determine exactly what contaminants are present and where they are, Tyler said.
Contaminants already found are weathered fuel oil, chromium, copper, zinc and lead, said Tyler.
Former steel mill site
He said the chemicals probably stem from the days when the Irondale steel mill was in operation.
It from 1881 to 1919 on the site of Irondale Beach Park.
Jefferson County Parks and Recreation purchased the site in 2001 knowing that a clean-up effort would be necessary before it could be turned into a park, Tyler said.
Jefferson County found greater contamination than expected when the property was investigated further in 2005, he said.