After more than six months since discovering synthetic chemicals at Vista Field, the Port of Kennewick has released a plan to clean up the site.

Before moving forward, the port is seeking public review and comment on the cleanup plan, which addresses a small area of contaminated soil.

The plan is available online and comments may be submitted at: vistafield.com/pfas. The comment period runs through Feb. 10.

Comments also may be made in person at the port’s regular meeting at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at the port offices, 350 Clover Island Drive, Suite 200, in Kennewick.

The proposed cleanup includes excavation and removal of soil containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

About 30 cubic yards of soil – roughly two-and-a-half to three dump truck loads – would be removed and taken to a licensed disposal facility. Before the site is backfilled with clean soil, samples would be collected to ensure remaining soil meets state cleanup standards.

Following the work, environmental consultant Landau Associates will submit a summary report to the state Department of Ecology and request a “no further action” determination.

The port was notified in June 2025 that soil samples collected by a property owner during construction contained low levels of PFAS. The port then conducted additional sampling at the site and expanded testing across the broader 103-acre Vista Field development.

Landau Associates was hired to evaluate PFAS at Vista Field using sampling methods that meet Ecology standards. Results from samples collected in September and December 2025 identified one localized area requiring cleanup. Landau then prepared the cleanup action plan now under review.

The port has coordinated with the Lot 31 property owners during the testing and evaluation process. That site is planned to be home to a new Columbia Point Eye Care building, owned by Drs. Brandon Furness and Royce Barney. 

Once cleanup is complete, the port plans to resume parking lot and utility improvement projects at Vista Field that have been on hold since last summer.