The state Department of Ecology will give on update on the handling of decades-old toxic waste at the former Landsburg Mine site during a public meeting of the Cedar River Council next Wednesday.

Department (DOE) representatives will talk about the project and answer questions during the meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Maplewood Greens Golf Course, 4050 Maple Valley Hwy.

Several companies placed industrial waste in a deep trench at the former coal mine from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. The site is about one mile northwest of Ravensdale between Summit-Landsburg Road, Kent-Kangley Road and Landsburg Road. It’s near the northeast corner of the intersection of Kent-Kangley and 268th Place Southeast.

Representatives of the property owner and companies that used the mine for waste disposal have conducted site studies and installed groundwater monitoring wells under the state’s direction. No groundwater contamination has been detected, DOE said.

As part of the project, foundations, an underground pipe, and access roads to quickly install equipment to pump treat and safely dispose of contaminated groundwater, if it is ever detected there, officials said.

The Cedar River is approximately 500 feet north of the site, which is on property currently owned by Palmer Coking Coal Co. and formerly owned by Plum Creek Timber Co., DOE officials said.

A long-term plan for the project will be available at a later date for public comment before DOE decides whether to adopt it, officials said.

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