Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 10, 1999

99-047

Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, (360) 407-6239

Toxic metals in Commencement Bay drop by 90 percent

OLYMPIA - A new study by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) reveals that the water in Commencement Bay contains about 90 percent less toxic metals than it did in 1984.

According to Ecology’s study, Metals Concentrations in Commencement Bay Waterways During 1997-1998, concentrations of the toxic metals arsenic, zinc, copper and lead are better than federal clean-water standards.

"A few years ago, Commencement Bay looked like a lost cause. It was one of the most contaminated harbors in America," said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons. "We are proving that environmental improvements can occur, even next to a major urban area."

Cleanup efforts began after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed Commencement Bay as a federal Superfund site in 1981. EPA and Ecology agreed to split the cleanup job: Ecology would clean up and control sources of pollution from land surrounding the bay, and EPA would oversee cleanup of contaminated sediments underneath the bay.

Since then, Ecology has completed roughly 90 percent of the needed "upland" cleanups. This has included projects on all of the bay’s waterways.

In many cases, the parties responsible for the contamination paid for the cleanups. Industries in the Tacoma area contributed an estimated $96 million to cover cleanup costs. Federal and state funding helped cover costs where responsible parties could not be identified.

Fitzsimmons said the upland cleanups are responsible for most of the water-quality improvements identified in Ecology’s report. As the EPA makes progress on the contaminated sediments underneath the bay, additional improvements are expected, he said.

Andrea Riniker, executive director of the Port of Tacoma, said cleaning up Commencement Bay has helped revitalize the Tacoma waterfront.

"Today’s success is the result of cooperation and cleanup actions by many partners -- the state, federal, and city government, the Port, the Puyallup Tribe, local industries, businesses and environmental groups," said Riniker. The Port helped the cleanup effort by cleaning large log-sort yards that drained Asarco slag into the waterway.

"We are proud of the leadership role we have played in addressing these environmental issues and achieving results," Riniker said.

The city of Tacoma also has been involved in the cleanup by purchasing and cleaning contaminated properties along the Thea Foss Waterway, and by developing cleanup plans for sediments in Thea Foss.

Tacoma City Councilman Kevin Phelps said: "These results show that a lot of hard work over many years is paying off. One of Tacoma’s prized resources, Commencement Bay, is on the road to recovery."

Highlights of the Ecology study include:

23 tons of toxic metals are being prevented from entering Commencement Bay each year.
Compared with 1984, today’s level of arsenic is reduced by 94 percent, zinc by 73 percent, copper by 92 percent and lead by 97 percent.
Organic chemicals such as oil and chlorinated chemicals have dropped significantly. For example, oil facilities have stopped an underground plume of oil from seeping into Thea Foss Waterway.
Some toxicants in the water are now reduced to levels close to those found in uncontaminated ocean water.

"With the progress we have achieved, I am optimistic we can make Commencement Bay truly healthy again," said Fitzsimmons.

Commencement Bay Map