Department of Ecology proposes cleanup order for Cosmopolis mill, schedules Sept. 9 public hearing

Cosmopolis — Department of Ecology officials told residents on Aug. 20 that the agency has issued a substantial penalty to the owner of the idle Cosmo mill and is proposing an agreed order that would require the owner to submit a remedial-investigation work plan within 120 days.

"We've been working with the mill owner as much as we could," said Bob Octolive, the Southwest and Olympic region director, describing years of contact that led Ecology to escalate enforcement because the facility is deteriorating and poses risks to the community. Peter Lyon, an Ecology environmental program manager, said the agreed order would allow the owner — Richard Bassett — and other responsible parties to carry out an investigation under Ecology oversight rather than pursue appeals. "They have 120 days to present to us a work plan," Lyon said.

The officials said the site is not currently designated a federal Superfund site, but could be subject to similar investigation and cleanup procedures depending on what tests show. Ecology staff said they are coordinating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, local health authorities and emergency responders and that, to the agency's knowledge, contamination has not been detected in off-site drinking-water systems.

Ecology cited an EPA estimate that roughly 800,000 gallons of various chemicals remain on site, including acids and laboratory wastes, and said some structures are unsafe for entry. "EPA did do a cleanup, I think, last September," Lyon said, referring to a targeted removal from laboratory spaces; he added that EPA has been paying for nighttime security and that response teams visit frequently.

Residents and council members pressed officials about safety gaps created when industrial water and electricity were shut off at the mill. Councilman Skinner warned there is "no fire system over there whatsoever in that facility because the water was shut down," and asked whether the city or the city of Aberdeen could restore water for emergency fire suppression. Mayor Springer noted Cosmopolis purchases its potable supply from Aberdeen and said water systems that serve residents have shown no problems in test reports submitted to the Department of Health.

Lyon summarized the near-term legal timeline: Bassett has 30 days to appeal the penalty; if he declines to appeal and signs the agreed order (Ecology said he has signed), the parties have 120 days to deliver a work plan identifying sampling and investigation tasks. Lyon cautioned that actual excavation or large-scale digging is unlikely in the immediate months while the investigation and record review proceed.

Local officials repeatedly urged residents to attend Ecology's public hearing and to submit comments online by Sept. 7. Ecology staff announced the public meeting for Sept. 9, 6 p.m., at Grays Harbor College (Shermer Building, Room 4134), and said the hearing will concentrate on the cleanup investigation and the proposed agreed order.

What happens if the owner does not cooperate remains uncertain: Ecology officials said the agency will use legal and administrative tools, including seeking court orders if needed, and may pursue coordination with historic operators and other responsible parties. "We're going to use every tool we can," Octolive said, noting the agency escalated the penalty because previous steps had not prompted sufficient corrective action.

The council proceeded to call the Aug. 20 meeting to order after the public-comment period. Ecology encouraged residents with concerns about on-site activity, vandalism or potential releases to report incidents to law enforcement and to submit comments through the agency website ahead of the Sept. 9 hearing.