This property has a documented history as a public works and maintenance facility predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could fund a cleanup.

Why Historical Insurance Policies May Be Accessible

Pre-1986 Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies were occurrence-based and did not contain an effective pollution exclusion in Washington. If contamination occurred while those policies were active, those historical insurance carriers may still have a legal obligation to fund the cleanup costs, even if the business closed or the property changed hands.

Contamination at a shooting range accumulates through incremental deposition — each discharge adding lead shot and cPAH residues to the soil — a pattern of ongoing, repeated occurrence across whatever years the range was in active use. Washington State Parks, as a state agency operating recreational facilities, would have carried liability coverage during that period; if active use predates 1986, the carriers on those policies may remain obligated to contribute to the state funds already spent relocating contaminated soils and to the investigation and remediation costs the VCP process will require going forward.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful coverage claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage. Restorical then manages the claim, including accounting, to ensure the cleanup is funded in a timely manner.