Thursday, October 1, 2026
On the heels of an airborne asbestos hazard warning in Yelm, property owners are being reminded that home renovation or demolition work requires asbestos inspections and notifications before any materials are removed.
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) issued the guidance on Monday, Nov. 3, wherein it cited federal Clean Air Act rules governing asbestos emission control in its six-county jurisdiction, which includes Thurston County.
The reminder followed a warning issued in late October by the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) Department after debris containing asbestos was confirmed at 17909 Lawrence Lake Road SE, a property known as Deschutes Valley Farms.
The county said debris piles containing asbestos posed a risk of airborne fiber being released if it was disturbed.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos had been used in roofing and siding shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, textured wall coatings, insulation materials and high-heat pipe wraps for a number of years before being banned. Disturbance of the materials during renovation, demolition, repair or maintenance can release microscopic fibers that may be inhaled.
Per ORCAA under the Clean Air Act, any demolition project larger than 120 square feet must file a notification with the agency. The 14-day notification period begins once the demolition form, asbestos survey and payment are submitted.
Projects involving more than 48 square feet of material containing asbestos, or more than 10 linear feet of asbestos-wrapped piping, must be reported to ORCAA. Notice is required at least 10 days before work begins unless the agency determines the work meets emergency conditions.
The asbestos survey required before demolition must be performed by an inspector certified under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.
Any samples taken during the survey must be analyzed by a laboratory accredited through the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program. ORCAA said the requirements apply to contractor and homeowner projects alike.
In October, PHSS staff posted asbestos hazard warning signs at the Lawrence Lake Road property. The county said those postings were later removed by the property owner.
In response, public access to the site is now restricted and public events have been suspended while state and county agencies coordinate debris removal and disposal.
“Asbestos is a dangerous substance and should be avoided. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure,” said PHSS, advising the public and individuals visiting the property to be aware of the hazard and take appropriate precautions.
ORCAA Executive Director Jeff Johnston said the agency’s authority to regulate asbestos comes from both state and federal law.
“The state and federal Clean Air Acts empower ORCAA to enforce regulations regarding asbestos in our jurisdiction. We appreciate the opportunity to work with Thurston County and the state’s Department of Ecology to protect public health,” Johnston said.
In a separate enforcement action, the Washington State Department of Ecology issued a $204,000 civil penalty in July against Deschutes Valley Farms property owners Chuck and Austin Rogers after confirming they removed vegetation, altered riverbanks, and placed construction debris and fill along approximately 1,700 feet of the Deschutes River.
The Department of Ecology said the owners also built permanent and semi-permanent structures for commercial use without obtaining the permits required by Thurston County and the state, which is in violation of the Shoreline Management Act.
PHSS said it is also coordinating with the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and state agencies on enforcement measures related to the asbestos debris and other hazards at the property.
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KatAshe
It appears that Chuck and Austin feel rules and laws do not apply to them. Hopefully only their health will be impacted. Maybe require them to camp at this site for 48-72 hours, with no safety breathing apparatus.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Report this
JW
If you know you have asbestos that's one thing, but, to quote:
"Per ORCAA under the Clean Air Act, any demolition project larger than 120 square feet must file a notification with the agency. The 14-day notification period begins once the demolition form, asbestos survey and payment are submitted."
This is more government nanny state. Have a garden shed to tear down? Better render unto Caesar. Give me a freaking break.
Thursday, November 6, 2025 Report this
Westside2
Agreed JW. A more practical approach to save taxpayers money would be great. Not sure why Ecology and Thurston County Public Health led the way? And now another agency ORCAA is in on private property telling people that they are in control? Pretty sure ORCAA has a tough enough time after promoting toxic workplace culture and eating cakes to really work effectively with the public, business, or other governments to best serve the people they are charged to protect. Time to dissolve ORCAA and have the state do the work. In this case, Ecology was already there! How many agencies does it take?
Thursday, November 6, 2025 Report this
OlyRegionCleanAir
"According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos had been used in roofing and siding shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, textured wall coatings, insulation materials and high-heat pipe wraps for a number of years before being banned."
Just to clarify, asbestos has NOT been banned. There have been bans on the use of asbestos in newly developed products, but in existing product lines, its use hasn't been restricted. Products can still be found on store shelves today that contain asbestos, so even newly built homes could have asbestos-containing materials in them.
Friday, November 7, 2025 Report this
Holself
I'm amazed that people not affected by this irresponsible behavior think they should weigh in!!
Try living in the area where he has bulldozed or transported toxic material to unknown sites and likely burned some as he's had recent large fires. The owners say they had LaMay remove the contaminated materials. Yes LaMay apparently removed one container. There were approximately 30 more containers worth! No idea where they went. The owners have violated so many county and state rules. They desecrated posted wet land areas, they've dumped sewage and used the Deschutes as their own private irrigation source. They move old metal trailers day and night regardless of the noise with no consideration of neighbors. They had an event this past weekend involving many many off road vehicles racing between Cougar Mt and Lawrence Lake Rd. They charge Admission and the noise was terrible. They are driving away the animals and birds that were part of this area. They have ruined the peace and quiet we had in this secluded area. These people must think rules, laws and common courtesy don't apply to them. Just because you own some land doesn't mean you can do anything you want!!
Monday, November 10, 2025 Report this
Train4hard
JW and Westside2 ORCAA will only access public property the same way a delivery driver would use access to your house. If you have outdoor burning or a construction project happening, it would have to be in the purview of the individual onsite, which is not illegal or improper. ORCAA's regulatory duties actually come from the EPA and thats why this entity interacts with all of these local government authorities. To me it sounds like you two got caught in the past doing something illegal, and now you are scorned and instead of owning up to your mistakes or shoddy work, you take it out of the regulators that are trying to protect the least vulnerable. I have met many like you in the rural area's that have no problem poisoning their neighbor as long as you and them can make a quick buck or save a couple dollars.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Report this