Tacoma Smelter Plume Yard Sampling & Cleanup Program Public Comment Period: March 14 - April 29, 2013 This year, Ecology will begin sampling and cleaning up residential yards. This "Yard Program" will focus on the most contaminated areas of the Tacoma Smelter Plume-Ruston, west Tacoma, and southern Vashon-Maury Island. Comment period information and program service area map: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites_brochure/tacoma_smelter/2013/yard-Sampling.html Technical Workshop Thursday, April 11, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. @ Wilson High School, 1202 N. Orchard, Tacoma Are you interested in the science behind Ecology's cleanup program for the Tacoma Smelter Plume? Join us this Thursday afternoon, for slides and conversation about... * How we set the Yard Program service area<http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites_brochure/tacoma_smelter/2013/Yard_ServiceArea_web.jpg> using a new statistical model to predict arsenic levels. * Soil sampling and analysis methods. * The challenges of soil cleanup on residential properties. * Other topics you have questions about. Open House - General Information Thursday, April 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. @ Wilson High School Learn more about the new Yard Sampling and Cleanup Program. You can sign up for soil sampling<https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/gsp/DocViewer.ashx?did=19238> and talk one-on-one with Ecology staff. Presentation at 7:00 p.m. (same slides as the March 28 meeting at Point Defiance Elementary). Hannah Hannah Aoyagi, Ph.D. Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist Toxics Cleanup Program, Southwest Regional Office Washington State Department of Ecology 360.407.6790 hannah.aoyagi@ecy.wa.gov<mailto:hannah.aoyagi@ecy.wa.gov> [cid:image002.jpg@01CE200B.526A2460]