Environmental Battlefield: Ruston, Washington liome to an Asarco Smelter and Superfund

By Karen Pickett

he reocnt success of movies such as "A Civil Action" and "Erin Brock­ T ovich" reflect a public endorsement of our current eJ!

NORTH environmental salvation, the result can be j' TACOMA messy and unexpected. I This paper will explore the collision of the­ ory and reality as it played out in the tiny town of Ruston, Washington. This community put real faces to the.oretical policies. W ith its tow­ ering industrial smokestack, Ruston became the rallying point for opposing ideologies and their different !histories. This discussion will illustrate the community's connection to the (,..-.. ... industrial base that built it; and how this his­ &.. tory shaped Ruston's reaction to modern envi­ ~ I General Locaiirm .tf'.l.p NORTH \ __ _ ronmental policies. There are no heroes or vil­ l lains in this story, just everyday people trying to weigh the many conflicting interests and Figure 1 complex theories that changed the course of this small town. K~ren Pickett h~ s been a resident in Ruston since 1985, along Ruston, only 5 blocks long, has a population of with her husbrmd Jim and daughter Lisa. She has worked m the Asarco Information Center since 1993 and is currently working on 700. (Figure 1) It is tucked away at the north end of her master's degree in the Foundations of Public Action from the Washington's Commencement Bay between an old University of W::1 shingron Til coma. dark tunnel and Tacoma's vast pristine Point Defi- 46 2000 Mining Histol)' ]oumal

him. That progressive force prompted several local businesstnen to form the Tacoma Milling & Smelting Company and build a lead smelter. 1 This tip of lam.! was ideal with deep-water access to the Pacific Ocean, a nearby creek and Tacoma's railroad connection to the mines of Idaho. (Figure 3) Dennis Ryan led the group that began construction in 1887.1 Two years later, after losing money, he sold th.e smelter to W.R. Rust. 1 Af­ ter the: completion of the railroad, the smelter began to prosper. The plant grew and was then converted Figure 2 Tunnel under rhc Asarco Smclrcr. in 1902 to a copper facility. The productive smelter caught the at­ ance Park. (Figure 2) Ruston's legacy lies in the in­ tention of the Guggenheim brothers and became dustrial revolution; when man took pride in taming part of the American Smelting and Refining Com­ the earth and using its riches to enhance his own pany (Asarco) in 190 5.~ life, ruling over nature thar had so long ruled over The landscape quickly changed shape. During a

Figure 3 Looking rowards Rusron abour 1890. Environmental Battlefield: Ruston W ashingcon, Home to an Asarco Smelcer and Supe1fund 4 7

Figure 4 Looking rowards Point Defi:mce Park where the marin~ wou ld be cre~ted.

major upgrade of the smelter, Asarco added the huge marily of boarding homes for the single men who smokestack that would become the symbolic rallying worked at the smelter. There were even a few family point for an environmental battle nearly a century homes. The first home belonged Marco Budinich later. Built in 1917, it stood 571 feet tall on the bluff and '..vas built around 1890.6 The fledgling commu­ overlooking the smelter on Commencement Bay. nity wanted to be identified as independent from The structure took only nine months to build and Tacoma, and mirror the image of the industrial town stood as the tallest stack in the world at the time. of Swansea, Wales. C01nmunity leaders even consid­ Slag, a by-product of the smelting process, was ered incorporating under the name of Swansea that poured on the beach for most of the next century. same year. The idea 'vvas dropped after assurances As it hardened, it created close to 100 additional from the larger city of Tacoma that they would not acres of land extending into the bay. The Metropoli­ be anncxed.7 tan Park District ofTacoma even requested that slag The 1910 census provides a source for recreating be poured north towards Point Defiance to create a a sense of the industrial nature of the community. breakwater for a marina. 5 (Figure 4) Many of the households had extended families living Housing sprang up quickly, nestled on the hill­ together. The census listed mothers-in-law, aunts, side just outside the smelter gate (Figure 5). Typical cousins, and stepchildren in the same home. Six ad­ of mill towns of the day, Ruston was composed pri- dresses had more than 10 boarders apiece, with an- 48 2000 Mining History ]oumal other seven residences housing at least five each. homes with few extra occupants.8 Just below these These in-house communities were often comprised homes, residential structures gradually gave way to of immigrants of the same origin. The southern part the industrial buildings of the smelter complex, of­ of town, for example, had 17 homes with boarders, ten standing side by side, blurring the boundary be­ all born in Austria, Sweden, or Norway. Most were tween work and home (Figure 6). smelter employees. The only exception was a board­ Neighboring Tacoma grew around the small ing house with 17 Japanese men who workeJ at a town. and the drive to secure independence took sawmill. North 51st Street, which still divides the shape as the smelter changed hands around 1900. town in half from north to south, had at least two Rust continued as manager after the Guggenheim major hotels near the smelter gates. One hotel purchase and led the drive to incorporate the small housed a mixture of boarders, primarily born in mid­ town in 1906, even directing smelter lawyers to draw western states, who worked at a variety of local busi­ up the petition to begin the process.9 After a success·· nesses. In contrast, the other hotel had 18 Roma­ ful election, the local citizens named their ne\v town nian-speaking residents from Hungary who worked Ruston, in Rust's honor, when they officially incor·· at the smelter. porated on October 22, 1906. The flavor of the neighborhood at the north end T he 121 voters of the first municipal election re .. of town took on a different feel with single-family fleet a lingering sense of a frontier town, where the

Figure 5 Hillside jusr ourside smelter gares f!bour 1890. Environmental Battlefield : Ruston \XIa shington, Home to an Asarco Smelter and Supe1fund 49

Figure 6 Power House, Tacoma Plant, with houses nearby. strongest connections were to each other and to the noted residents had no access "but over a poor, ill­ company that provided for them. Just over half of kept wagon road." Residents traveled to and from the voters were American-born, mainly from Ohio, Tacoma by boat. 11 Most locals lived, worked, and with only one native Washingtonian. Fifty-one \.vere played in the small town. Their only clear connec­ born overseas, primarily in Sweden and Norway. Al­ tion to the big city was the trolley line to Point Defi ­ most all employment was related to Asarco; 64 ance Park on Pearl Street at the west side of town. worked at the smelter, with another 33 in related By 1920, the separate town had become well es­ fields such as laborers, crane men, and foremen. 10 tablished. Smelter furnaceman Wes Newman, who The room over Hank's Store was designated as the had just completed a correspondence course in de­ official polling place. 11 During the first town council tecting, took over as the new marshal. In this mill meeting on November 12, 1906, Leslie Tallman was town, prohibition brought complaints from residents appointed as town marshal. He served double duty as who could not see the point in taking vacation with­ town marshal for Ruston 'vVhile working full -time at out liquor to lubricate the holiday. 14 By World War the smelter. Saloons received the first three business II, Ruston bustled with even more activity. Point licenses at that same meeting. 12 Defiance Park was a popular destination for the in­ Despite this early development, the community creased military population from nearby Fort Lewis remained isolated (Figure 7). A 1908 newspaper and McCord Air Force Base, with soldiers and crash 50 2000 Mining Histol)' ]oumal

F igure 7 8ricky11rd just south of smelter looking toward Tacoma about 1900.

Figure 8 Point Defiance Boathouse with Ruston aoove it. E7wironmental Battlefield: Ruston Washington, Home to an Asarco Smelter and Suf)eJjund 51 boats stationed at the park." (Figure 8.) Ruston had though the big smelter just north of the city has at least one Japanese family interred during the Sec­ been in operation for some time, the matter is likely ond World War that did not return. 16 to force itself upon the popular mind some time in The military effort needed copper, so the smelter the future.''20 Public complaints, however, were rare operated at full capacity, providing metal for the war before the advent of environmentalism in the 1960s. effort.'; During those years, Asarco produced a news­ The cultural revolution of this decade spawned a letter called The Slag for employees called into ser­ movement in popular culture to return to pristine vice overseas. The newsletter served as an important conditions in nature, to reject the industrial age and reminder of home to those on the battle lines. In the corporations that ran it. As this new 1960s gen­ May 1944 Harvey Langberg wrote, "I wish to add my eration fought against what they perceived to be the thanks for sending me the 'Slag'. It helps link the evils of modern society, the giant smokestack and broken chain between us and home . . . >vishing aging industrial complex became an easy target all ... continuous success so we can all meet again (Figure 9). when the plant whistle blows in the very near fu­ There were some community members who ques­ ture."13 tioned the validity of the "target." For instance, a For Rustonites, life revolved around the smelter Tacoma editorial in the 1970s read, "Smelter more a whistle. In many ways, it symbolized the integration symbol than problem.'' The author noted this of community life with the plant. The high-pitched change in perception: "The Seattle Post Intdligencer sound of the industrial ·whistle reached all corners of believes that 'The immediate effect of the closure (of town at each shift change, causing an instant flood the smelter) wi ll be cleaner air, water and earth.' But of workers going to and leaving the workplace. It it's best to keep your feet on the ground as you fanta­ called children home to supper, served as the siren size about 'instant' clean air ... with or without to bring Ruston firemen to duty, and even "blew in" Asarco, our region will have pollution problems, the New Year. some of them more frightening and frustrating than In m.any ways beyond the whistle, Ruston's exis­ the smelter ... The P-1 labels the smelter a 'symbol tence was intimately linked to that of the Asarco of pollution' .. . Smokestacks are no longer signs of smelter. Because of Ruston's economic dependence progress. Today, in the minds of the public, they rep­ on the smelter, the town was greatly impacted by resent just the opposite. And so does the Asarco op­ changing environmental policies after World War II. eration. From up close it violates our sense of aes­ When the smelter opened in the late nineteenth thetics and from the distance there is always the century, it symbolized the strength and power of the smokestack to remind us of it."21 industrial age that our nation embraced at the time. Reporter Bob Boxberger of the Tacoma Ne·ws Civic leaders in Tacoma and Ruston boasted of the Tribune in 1975 captured the essence of the debate: smelter as proof that the community stood tall in the world of manufacturing, producing 12 percent of the Where does the average man turn for the nation's copper in 1927, sporting the world's tallest truth? In this age of skepticism, justified al­ smokestack and contributing important resources to most daily by revelations of dishonesty at all the war. 19 The ability to control and use nature was levels of public and private life, who can the seen as advancement fOr civilization. But as Amer­ consumer, the working man believe? Can he ica's views on the environment underwent major afford to believe the protestation of inno­ changes, Ruston became the stage for conflicting cence and good faith made by the industrialist indusu·ial-environmental philosophies. or the businessman, whose very livelihood is Concern about the smokestack had surfaced as based on cutting corners, on doing the job as early as 1890. An early newspaper noted that "the cheaply as he can? Conversely, can he accept subject of the disposal of the smoke from the smelter on faid1 the results of a scientific study that has not yet assumed any importance in Tacoma, could be tainted by personal ambition, by 52 2000 Min1ing History ]oumal.

Figure 9 Asarco Smelter, Ruston, Washington.

misplaced zeal, by a lack of clarity in explain­ vis01y panel.24 But Congress wanted more and re­ ing its meaning to the public, perhaps even by placed it with the National Environmental Policy purely personal desire to raise hell with the Act and the Council of Environmental Quality establishment ?22 (CEQ). By December of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created to consolidate While Ruston and the surrounding communities enforcement of the growing number of environ­ wrestled with the ongoing environmental struggle, mental regulations and carry out the recommenda­ changes were brewing at the national level as well. tions of the CEQ.25 After the New Deal era of the 1930s and the pros­ President Nixon was "convinced that the 1970s perity of the 1950s, Americans had grown accus­ absolutely must be the years when America pays its tomed to their affluence and expected their govern­ debt to the past by reclaiming the purity of its air, its ment to continue to make it possible for them.21 waters, and our living environment. It is literally Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1967, and now or never.'' He expressed hope that these new then gave it teeth with amendments in 1970 and bureaucracies would not compound the problem: 1977. President Richard M. Nixon responded on "No matter how pressing the problem, to over­ June 3, 1969 to the national mood by creating the organize, to over-staff, or to compound the levels of Environmental Quality Council, a cabinet-level ad- review and advice seldom brings earlier or better re- Environmental Bacdefielcl: Ruswn Washington, 1-lome to an Asarco Smelcer and Supe1fund 53 suits. We arc most interested in rcsulrs."16 By 2000, reduce sulfur emission by 90 percent. The company after two decades of feder:,1l involvement in Ruston, officials appealed this standard before the state Pol­ some locals question his prediction about how the lution Control Hearing Board. That year, the "debt to the past" was paid here and the results smelter was able to recover 18 percent of its sulfur. achieved. Asarco proposed installing more equipment that During the 1980s, Congress passed several new would bring the capture rate of sulfur up co 51 per­ laws to expand the EPA"s enforcemen t power. At cent. 1'' The company estimated it would cost $35 to the same time, the EPA's budget and workforce were $65 million to rneet the 90 percent standard at its expanded from. a budget of $1 billion and about Tacorna site. The cornpany asked instead to comply 4,000 employees in 1970, to almost $8 billion and with the 51 percent rate for sulfur capture at an esti­ more than 18,000 employees in 1999. Tcx:!ay, the mated $14 million spread over five years. At the agency administers ten m:ajor federal laws. The law hearing, Asarco outlined a 5-year plan, but was un­ that brought EPA to Ruston's doorstep is the Com­ sure of operations beyond that, noting that the 90 prehensive Environmental Response, Compensa­ percent reduction might never be achievable at this tion, and Liability Act (CERCLA or "Supetfund"), facility. "I don't know if we will ever be able to com­ enacted in 1980. Congress intended the program to ply ... At the end of five years we'll either come for­ clean up hazardous waste sites. Money from a tPuget Sound Air Pollution Con­ mayor Gordon Johnson, a PSAPCA director, led the trol Agency (PSAPCA) and the State Pollution unanimous vote for denial in May 1975.n PSAPCA Control Hearing Board. 28 later reversed this decision and granted a fi ve year Asarco faced some unique challenges in Ruston. variance for arsenic and sulfur air emissions, but re­ The smelter was one of rthe few in the U.S. that quired immediate equipment improvements and on­ could smelt low-grade ores in their older style fur­ going monitoring. 1 ~ naces. "This is a mixed bkssing. It allows us to sur­ By now, the city of Tacoma had grown around vive, but it is also the root of our environmental Ruston. The newcorners worried about living near problem," noted Charles Randt, assistant manger for the smelter after various groups theorized about risks the plant in the 1970s. F01r instance, to meet a 1978 to human health and nature. The environmental requirement for a 4 7 percent reduction in sulfur and debates between Ruston residents loyal to Asarco 89 percent reduction in arsenic would cost twice as and those in the larger city of Tacoma were clear rnuch as the smelter's net profits since 1969.29 and consistent. These community dialogs, played out ln 1971, Asarco faced an order frmn PSAPCA to in the local newspapers and over backyard fences, 54 2000 Mining History ]oumal initiated a long tradition of public involvement. The EPA's estimates for emissions match actual data environmental agencies that had to decide these from air monitoring stations in the area.4t' complex issues began e(lrly to listen to the debate As the EPA cominued to study the issue, their and encourage discussion. new director William Ruckelshaus moved toward a The community discussion brought EPA to town new policy for m.anaging pollution risks. For the first as early as 1975. T he agency held a public tneeting time, the community surrounding the smelter would to discuss environmental concerns at the smelter. be asked to provide direct input on the national ar­ The invitation to the meeting read, "EPA recognizes senic standard. The plan was to inform residents of that solution to all the problems will not come at the potential risks and then r~sk their opinion. The once, nor will they be solved by any single govern­ goal was admirable, but things did not go as ment agency. For that matter, equitable environ­ smoothly as hoped. Even the announcement of the mental comrol to safeguard human health will not plan caused uproar. "EPA officials came to Tacoma be attained by the government sector alone. The yesterday," Jeff Weathersby reported for the Tacomct cask requires the cooperation of ASARCO, smelter News Tribune, "to ask if one additional lung cancer workers and local residents, not to mention the un­ death per year-as predicted by statisticians who are derstanding and support of the public at large ... not sure whether their figures arc reliable-is an ac­ The outcome of all our efforts will have direct im ­ ceptable risk to keep the smelter open." 11 pacts on thousands of Puget Sound residents due to Ruckelshaus explained his new policy: "For me to the serious socio-economic and health implication sit here in Washington D.C. and tell the people of inherent in the decision to be made. C itizen inter­ Tacoma what is an acceptable risk would be at best ests are paramount, and the May 21 meeting is an arrogant and at worst inexcusable." The EPA indi­ attempt to involve the public in the decision­ cated it would accept the arsenic emissions at the making process related to such a critical environ­ Tacoma plant because new hoods being installed at mental issue." 15 the smelter used the best available technology and The hearing included sessions where some aca­ reduced their estimate of four cancer deaths per year demic reports theorized arsenic might contribute to to one. But Ruckelshaus would listen if local citizens lung cancer deaths in the surrounding neighbor­ demanded stricter standards. He conceded that any hood. But Ruston locals and smelter employees over­ stricter interpretation of the regulations would mean whelmed the public session.16 T here was concern shutting down the smelter. The EPA believed that about the negative impact that the media coverage there \.vas no safe level of arsenic and closure of the was having on the community, especially when it plant would be required to totally eliminate any risk. was based on predictions that were unclear and un­ Not everyone liked his new approach. The Wash­ proven. Ruston councilwoman Doris Sage com­ ington Lung Association questioned the EPA's mo­ plained, "Most publicity has been adverse and it's all tives for public input, stating that "the law does not over the front page ... The fears from smelter haz­ permit economic consequences to be taken into con­ ards are 'could', 'might', or 'maybe'."17 sideration."41 Ruth Weiner of the Sierra Club called By 1983, the Ruston plant had reduced its arse­ the move by the EPA "job blackmail." "Its up to nic emissions by 98 percent since 1970. 18 The EPA EPA to protect public health, not to ask the public esti m:o~t ed that 311 tons of the metal were still emit­ what it is willing to sacrifice not to die from can­ ted each year, but soon d iscovered an error in their cer. "41 calculations, revising the estimate to 115 tons. At The November 1983 issue of Newsweek heralded, that time, the EPA translated those exposures into a "A Life-and-Death Choice"44 and a local headline prediction of one cancer death per year. 19 Of course, declared, "Tacoma will get a 'vote' on arsenic Asarco strongly disagreed with that forecast, noting peril."45 The community embraced the debate. A that the prediction of cancer did not bear out in local editorial summarized, "Are we willing to toler­ health studies of the local population; nor did the ate any dangerous or unpleasant pollutants in our Environmenral Battlefield: Ruston Washington, Home to an Asarco Smelter and Sttj)elfuncl 55 environment in exchange for employment and busi­ posure. ness opportunities and tax revenues? ... We have a Dr. Paul Heilman, a local agricultural expert unique opportunity to answer these questions ... from the Western Washington University Agricul­ We are, in a way, pioneers."46 tural Center in Puyallup, added "ordinary grass won't The battle lines were drawn. Many of the smelter grow in the area except in imported topsoi l.")2 Since employees and their family men1bers were fiercely many in Ruston were able to maintain healthy lawns loyal to the company that had provided the eco­ in native soil, they doubted the wisdom of these ex­ nomic and social foundation for their lives. These perts. One local, Bert Joyce, "said he was more likely people had worked with arsenic and other metals all to die under the wheels of a drunken driver than their lives and were not frightened by them. A popu­ from too much of the lettuce he grows." Others lar button read "Both," referring to support for both noted the long lives of their neighbors who gardened jobs and the environment. Many Rustonites, long at home. 51 independent and distrusting of the larger commu­ These residents questioned the risk predictions nity, fought against the EPA. Environmentalists and made by the EPA. The calculations were based on a many of the newer neighbors were equally passionate sample set of workers with high exposure to arsenic. that no risk was acceptable and Asarco should be Asarco pointed out that the assumptions were not forced to close. 47 supported in cpiderniological studies of the commu­ Town residents supported the smelter for many nity. In addition, the airborne arsenic readings in reasons. Their fears extended beyond the loss of jobs. surrounding neighborhoods were only a fraction of Asarco provided up to 70 percent of the town budget the predicted levels. Floyd Frost, an epidemiologist and free garbage service; its smelter furnaces even with the state Department of Social and Health Ser­ heated the local elementary school building. Many vices, reported in a 1984 study that cancer rates near worried that survival of the town itself might be the smelter were below the national average. He said jeopardized. Indeed, the ultimate closure of the even small increases in cancer would be seen in his smelter caused an 89 percent drop in tax revenues study, but none vvere detected. 54 for the small town.48 An interesting dilemma faced those \.vho wanted Longtime Ruston mayor and Asarco employee to use the many studies that showed a healthy, nor­ Owen Gallagher described the town's heritage, mal community. The public seemed unwilling to ac­ "People came here looking for fire and smoke so they cept the lack of statistical evidence as proof they could make a living. It was more or less like a mining were safe. At Asarco, Charles Randt wrestled with town."49 He described the health risk as "bologna." "the philosophical question of how you can prove a But his neighbor, Jean Wingard, had a different negative" and noted that "the only hard scientific opinion, "They're getting paid down there to live data ... was the statistical relationship between in­ and work in it. I'm not getting paid to breathe it. "50 creased cancer and exposure to high levels of arsenic Debate over potential health irnpacts in the in the working area." That same data showed no neighborhood was not new to Ruston. PSAPCA had increase in cancers for workers exposed at low levels. issued a health advisory in 1975 when cadmium was "These ... Levels ... are gross[ly low] compared to 5 found in soils around smelter. They advised residents the levels in the community," he said. ) who might be exposed to the metal from other Others wrestled with similar philosophical ques­ sources, such as those who worked at the smelter, to tions. Martha Brigham wrote, "the laws of our coun­ avoid eating any leafy vegetables that might contain try are based on the assumption that a person is in­ cadmium. 51 Experts thought the cadmium \.vas left nocent until or unless proven guilty. The burden of from lead smelting operations prior to 1911. The proof is on the accuser, not on the accused ... state Social and Health Services told the community PSAPCA has taken the position that it is up to that levels in the soil and air posed no immediate Asarco to prove to the agency that smelter emissions danger, but there was concern about long-term ex- arc not harmful to human health. The precedent of 56 2000 Mining 1-listory Journal changing our legal process in this d irection is dan­ wages, and they could ultimately close the smelter gerous, more dangerous than industrial pollution."56 and end any income for employees. The PSAPCA board charged with many of these Amid the variance appeals, the company was also decisions was made up of non-technical local elected negotiating new contracts "vith their unions. Despite officials who wrestled with these questions for their mutual environmental concerns, traditional roles community. T hey had to decide if these unproven continued, such as a strike at the Tacoma plant in environmental theories warranted actions that 1971. Local workers were concerned about at1other would have very real and definable impacts on their long strike similar to the last one that had lasted constituents. The political nature of "potential more than eight months in 1967-1968. In june, ten­ health impacts" versus jobs did not lend itself to sid­ sions increased when picketing strikers confronted ing with industry on this issue. supervisory employees who were moving rail cars out Ronald Sleveland saw more than just jobs at a gate. The company also faced more negotiations stake: "The loss of the smelter and the business it with its office and lab workers union.59 generates within the community will cause more But as the threat of environmental regulations than just economic damage. C losure of the smelter grew, local unions became strong supporters of man­ will also result in serious psychological damage to agem.cnt for tl1e variance requests. Early in the vari­ many families in this area. Any blue collar worker ance process, the union had expressed some reluc­ can tell you what too often happens to a family tance to support Asarco's position. But by the time when the father and provider loses his job. People Asarco made its request for the variance from arse­ too often think of the smelter as a bunch of ugly nic emissions, the union was very vocal in their sup­ buildings with that big smokestack on the hill. But port of the company. Robert Guadiana of d1e local the smelter is also a whole lot of people and families United Steel Workers of America explained the that depend on it for a job and a livelihood. The change of heart and confirmed that an earlier vari­ harm done by the loss of the smelter will be greater ance request had been a tool to pressure the com­ than what li ttle damage will be done-if any-by grant­ pany to release arsenic exposure data and enforce ing of the variance."57 the usc of protective equipment. Sumner Mayor Everett Foster, one of the But now the union, on behalf of the smelter PSCAPA board members, described in 1975 his workers, supported the current variance, noting that struggle with this issue as he voted to close down "no group will be more impacted by a plant closure." Asarco until the smelter met their regulations: "I By the time the EPA requested local input on the based my decision on EPA reports, conflicting medi­ national arsenic standards in 1983 , the unions op­ cal opinions that served only to cloud the issue, and posed stricter federal arsenic exposure rules, despite a reports from the state Department of Health and our correlation of cancer deaths to high arsenic exposure local health department. I think the information was among smelter workers. Yet, even in the midst of conflicting and confusing enough so that we could­ these public displays of support, traditional tensions n't determine that the emissions are not a health continued. A union flyer from this tinl.e period about hazard. I had to take a positive position in the public a death at the smelter claimed that "a brother died interest and rule against the smelter's position. The at the hands of management" because of their cost­ crux was 'does it or doesn't it constitute a health cutting measures.60 hazard ?' and the smelter didn't prove to me that it Beyond the smelter union support for the vari­ doesn't." 58 ance requests, other regional unions joined the pro­ The Ruston battle forged new and unexpected industry chorus. Workers were concerned that an alliances. Asarco management and its labor unions Asarco closure would impact both smelter docks and had traditionally been at odds with each other the Port of Tacoma. Phil Lelli of the International (Figure 10). But the cost of these new regulations Longshoremen Local 23 stated that, "the smelter meant competition for dollars that could be used for probably affects 10% of our work" at the port.61 Both Environmental Battlefield: Ruston Washington, Home to an Asarco Smelter ancl SufJeJfuncl 57

Figure 10 Union strike in 1946 current and fanner employees, many of whom lived regulations. In 1975 Asarco agreed to a PSAPCA close by and represented both local residents and request to oil the gravel streets in the area to reduce employees, fought to keep the plant operating. At dust.64 one variance hearing, a retired vvorker testified, Some predicted national environmental alliances "some sinister force is attempting to undermine to be formed in the wake of the EPA's move tmvard American industry because it is operated by 'good public input at Ruston. Environmentalist Brian ]oes. m 62 Baird with T ahomans for a Healthy Environment By the time the EPA asked for input on the arse­ noted that, "this is a precedent-setting case. It has nic standard, it was expected that the unions would never been put in the lap of the community before support the smelter. Fearing an Asarco publicity to say how much risk it is willing to take. So it is blitz, local environmentalists worked to influence very important for national groups to get together." the unions as well. The local newspaper noted But the larger support did not materialize, although "another tactic of the environmental community: at least one coalition of note emerged. Tacoma Fair approach labor and try to recruit an ally . .. Smelter Share was formed with leaders from the union and workers ... have traditionally stood solidly behind environmental and citizen groups. The group wanted the smelter on environmental issues."61 And there the issue handled locally by the state "to fend off were other unexpected byproducts of these new what local citizens believed were divisive tactics 58 2000 Mining History ]oumal used by EPA. "61 News T1·ilnme nostalgically reported that the old To further complicate the struggle, the copper smelter whistle would signal the fall of tht:: chimnev, market dropped dramatically during the early 1980s. not realizing that it could not operate without steam The company faced huge losses while fighting im­ from the smelter furnaces. So police sirens blew to mense cost increases at the Ruston facility. Amid herald the collapse of the chimney that had domli­ the storm , Asarco announced the closure of the nated the landscape for a century. The noise contin­ smelter. At its peak, the smelter had been the largest ued with the loud crack of dynamite as the stack fell employer in the county with 1,400 employees. But to the shouts of the crowd, the bellow of boat horns, the fires under the smokestack were extinguished in and the bittersweet tears of many watching. March 1985 and the last 550 workers were laid off. For some, the demise of the smelter stack sig­ The loss was difficult for many. "We were like a naled only good things. But for many longtime Rus­ big family," lamented employee David Huntstock. tonites, it symbolized the larger community's rejec­ He also worried about his skills, "I guess I'm what t ion of the industrial base that had built not on!y you would call a functional illiterate." He was one Ruston, but Tacoma as well; and in many ways of 200 employees to receive retraining; 115 were America itself. It signaled the lean years ahead, placed in new jobs and .30 took early retirement.66 struggling to survivt:: without businesses to tax or em­ Bob Fault said good bye this way: "As I walk from ployees to house. While many in Tacoma applauded my car through the machine shop, I see a lot of dis­ as the dust cleared, locals quietly mourned the end gruntled faces ... because this June will be the 94th of an era and \>vondered about the future of their lit­ birthday of Asarco, but Asarco •..von't be there to tle tmvn. celebrate it. .. I have worked for the Asarco smelter Yet after the closure of the Asarco plant, with its for 16 years (I would like to thank Asarco for those major tax base gone, Ruston had just begun its Jeal­ years) during which time I have met and worked ings with tl1e federal government. During smelter with a lot of etnployees who care about their com­ operations, regulations had been directed at cutTen t munity and their company. I'd like ... to say good­ emissions from the stack. After production stopped!, bye to my fellow employees and to wish them all the the focus shifted to any remaining traces of metal in luck in the world."67 local dirt. Within a few months of the smelter clo­ The symbolic smokestack remained standing sure, EPA began an investigation into arsenic levels even after closure. The huge stack had received its in the surrounding residential area. Now the regula­ share of attention over the years. It was news when tory agency predicted the possibility of "one add i­ \vorkers put on a new coat of paint in 1973, and in tional case of cancer per 1,000 people exposed over ;a 1929 was even used as the site of a wedding. It was a very long time - like 70 years. It may just be skin popular symbol for protesters who used it to hang cancer."69 messages supporting their cause. Even after the The debate over health impacts from microscopic bricks had cooled, the stack saw a few fools dare to levels in the soil was intensely complicated, one that climb its ladder. O ne local fami ly in 1991 hung a even the most euuca'ted scientists could not conclu­ remembrance to their dead mother. The night be­ sively resolve. Dr. Sam Milham, Washington state's fore demolition, even with sticks of dynamite in chief epiden1iologist, was an outspoken critic of place, a rad io fan slipped past guards and hung a Asarco during the 1970s. He had documented an sheet promoting his station's "blast the stack" increase in cancer deaths among smelter workers. party.68 Because these workers also smoked heavily, showing On January 17, 1993, eight years after the Asarco a direct correlation to arsenic exposure was difficult. smelter closed its doors, the stack took its final bow But after finding higher cancer rates, he expanded as it tumbled in eight short seconds. The adjacent his review in 1977 to the residential community. l-Ice bay filled with boats and an estimated 100,000 peo­ expected to find increased cancer rates, but his ple crowded into Ruston to watch. The Tacoma search found no indication of impact on the sur- Environmental Battlefield: Ruston \XIashington, Home to an Asarco Smelter and Supelfund 59

rounding population. By 1990, he had concluded: "I lengthy cleanup p roc~::ecls on local yards, the stigma 71 believe that there is 110 current health risk to Ruston is slowly lifting and optimism growing. residents from residual soil arsenic." Other studies The transition from controversy to consensus has confirmed that cancer rates in Ruston were below been even more dramatic regarding the smelter the national average. 70 property owned by Asarco. By 1990, debate over the Nevertheless, in 1993 the EPA ordered an $80 cleanup plans for the site had surfaced. The option million replacement program for the soil in the Rus­ of hauling away material that contained the most ton residential area (Figure ll). But the program metal \Vas estimated by the EPA to cost at least $100 produced unexpected results. As the tovvn clerk million more than a proposal to build a landfill on noted: "I don't think people are as concerned about site to bury the dirt. In addition, most of the smelter the health hazard as the devaluation of property an property consisted of slag rock that had been poured EPA cleanup might ironically cause." Indeed, by during many decades of smelter operations. Metals 1992 some banks would noc finance home loans in in the slag were tightly bound in the rock, but the the area. The concern prompted the EPA to address 150 million tons of slag could not reasonably be underlying liability concerns with lenders with moved. Tacoma's mayor, Karen Vialle, threatened workshops and informational brochures. And as the unspecified legal action if any hazardous waste was

A NORTH Figure 11 60 2000 Mining History ]oumal

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ASARCO MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN PLAN DEFINITION REPORT SCHEME: G 2.1: BENNETT STREET PROMONTORY

Figure 12 Environmencal Battlefield: Ruston Washington, Home co an Asarco Smelter and Suj)e1fund 61

left on the property. "For years the city of Tacoma in 1995 after genentting more than 1,000 commu­ has been working to dispel an unflattering image of nity comments.il us as polluted, smelly industrial backwater," she sa id. "Its about time Tacoma got its act together. T his "We must not jeopardize the economic rejuvenation is the only thing Asarco could do," claimed local Si­ of our community in order to save a few cleanup dol­ erra Club activist Cheryl Miller.74 Tac01na council­ lars."72 man Paul Miller saiJ, "the city hasn't caved in to Despite the public debate, everyone agreed that Asarco's insistence that the dirt be buried on the this site on the shore of Commencernent Bay held site. Instead he characterized the agreement as a unique opportunities for reuse. With dissension compromise: Asarco gets a less costly clean up and prevalent, the EPA once again asked for public in­ the city gets parks and attractive watctfront develop­ put. The EPA suggested that Asarco meet with local ment."75 The Tacoma New.~ Trihune editorial staff jurisJictions to see if an agreement could be reached agreed: "this agreement sets in motion what is likely for future development of the property. Asarco could to be regarded as one of Tacoma's great civic then focus its cleanup proposal for future potential achievement of the 1990's."76 The eventual success uses. The approach was unique at the time, and re­ of this project attracted interest from communities flected a growing concern of industrial communities and advocacy groups across the United States as in­ across the nation. These communities had d iscov­ dustrial reclamation became increasingly important. ered that as the Superfund program had matured, the What began as a community of "fire and smoke" initial focus had been on the environmental require­ symbolizing the industrial age is now changing into a ments alone. This single-minded focus often made place where the past becomes the foundation for the reuse of the property difficult. New businesses were future. The process has not been an easy one. Envi­ reluctant to locate new industry on these sites be­ ronmental regulations are not entirely positive, nor cause of liability concerns, and because new con­ does every community welcome them. The battle struction would mean an expensive reworking of any fought in Ruston has taught important lessons for fix that had been performed on the property. both environmental regulators and the citizens who The process for Ruston and Tacoma began in late experienced the impact of those regulations. This 1993 with a series of public workshops. Planners Washington community has learned how to move asked more than 1200 people to share their dreams forward despite great odds, using the lessons from the about what they wanted on the former smelter site. environmental battles to bu ild a positive future. Those brainstorming sessions evolved into a dozen Communities across the nation can learn from Rus­ land usc alternatives ranging from full industrial use ton's lessons. to exclusively public parks, with many variations in The passions of those who fought these battles between. The consensus-building process forged an were sincere on both sides. They brought a human understanding between many diverse groups as they d imension to the lofty ideals of the environmental evaluated these alternatives and explored the com­ movement. And in living out these new principles, plexities and tradeoffs of these decisions. A third se­ the involved groups have achieved an understanding ries of workshops produced a mixed-use alternative of their impacts and how to resolve tl1c many con­ that gained public approval (Figure 12). This plan fli cts that arise. In many ways, Ruston has been a included on-site burial of soils with the highest pawn in a game n1uch larger than its O\vn bounda­ metal content and capping the slag in place. But the ries, and it has emerged stronger for having gone EPA suggested a plan that relied on soil treatment through the struggle. This town carries its heritage and had an estimated cost of $73.4 million. Asarco, with a strength and grace born of adversity. The fu­ with community support, responded with a $45 .3 ture, although different than the founding fathers million plan. The company agreed to put some of envisioned, is full of hope as th is small town moves the savings into infrastructure improvements to en­ beyond the battles into constructive resolution. hance reuse of the site. The plan won EPA approval 62 2000 Mining History ]ow11cd

Notes l. Morga n, Murray, P11KI!t's Sound, (Seattle & London: Uni­ 25. Ibid. versity of Washingron Press, 1979), 312. 26. Nixon, Richard M., Public Paj>ers of LIJC Presidenrs of rllC 2. Tacoma Historical Society, Cicy of Desriny Newsleuer, 2:2 Unirccl Scares, 1970, (\XIl1shingron, D.C.: Govemmenr (Wimer 1992). Prinring Office, 197 1) , 2. 3. Morgan, Murray, Pll.f!et's Sound, (Set~rde & London: Uni­ 27. US EPA Hisrory Office, Frequently Asked Questions versity of Washingron Press, 1979), 310. Homepnge, (homepage: cited 3 May 1999), nvailable from 4. Tacom<1 Historic

Tacoma News T rib11ne, 1982. 65. Weathersby, Jeff, "Smelter Battle," Ta conw News Trib11ne, 50. G illie, John, "Living in the smelter's shadow," Tacoma 17 July 1983; Anderson, Bette, "Coali tion to promote mi d­ News Trib11ne, 14 July 1983. elle path in Asarco controversy," Tacoma News T rib11 ne, 4 51. Boxberger, Bob, "Leafy-vegetable warning sounded," Ta­ December 1983. coma News Trib11ne, 4 May 1975. 66. G illie, Jim, "After Asarco," Taconw News Trih11ne, 1986. 52. Boxberger, Bob, "Danger discounted in smelter area," Ta­ 67. Faulk, Bob, "Letters to the Editor," Tacoma News Trib11ne, coma News Trib11ne, 16 April 1975. 3 March 1983. 53. Wilkins, Jack, "Smelter 'Danger' Doesn't Scare 'Em," Sem­ 68. "Smelter Stack Looking Prettier," Tc1coma News Trib11ne, ele Posr /ncel/igencer, 14 May 1975. 20 June 1973; "Legendary Landmark", The News Trib11 ne. 54. G illie, Jim, "Smelter not a hazard, Asarco says," Tacoma 15 January 1993; "Semtle, Keep Your Protesters: Lett ers to News Tribune, 13 July 1983; Weathersby, Jeff, "New the Ediror", Taconw News Trib11ne, 19 October 1984. smelter study disputes EPA," Tacoma News Trih11ne, 3 1 69. Dietrich , Bill, "Smelter's neighbors cool to arsenic cleanup January 1984. plans," The (Sem ele) Times, 1989, I. 55. Tacoma Ret•iew, 14 October 1975. 70. Milham. Samuel, Jr., "Studies of Morbidity Near a Copper 56. Brigham, Martha, "Letters to the Editor," Tacoma News Smelter," Environmenral Health PersfJecri·!'es, 19, (I 997), Trib11ne, 23 July 1973. 131-132; Milham, Samuel, Jr., "Stare Health Department 57. S leveland, Romild, "Letters to the Editor," Tacoma News O ffic ial S tudied Effects of Arsenic on Ruston Children," Trib11ne, 22 January 1976. Comm11niry UJ>dace, I: 10, (October 1990), I; Weathersby, 58. Boxberger, Bob, "Asarco vote put mayors on the spot," Jeff, "New smelter study disputes EPA," The News Trib11ne, T c1conw News Trib11ne, 19 July 1975. 3 1 January 1984; "Study: Asarco residue poses no health 59. "Smelter Strike Set At S. F.," Tacoma News T rib11ne, 7 July threat," The New.s Trib11ne, 23 October 1986, 1 . 197 1; "Smelter Seeking Labor Restr