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Department of Ecology News Release - December 21, 2006
06-267
OLYMPIA - Work is under way in Port Gamble Bay to clean up water and habitat at a former sawmill site, part of state efforts to clean and restore Puget Sound.
Contractors for the $770,000 project will dredge 17,000 cubic yards of wood debris and contaminated sediments from the water at a 2-acre site. The dredged materials will be rinsed with fresh water to remove salt. The materials then will be used as topsoil on forest lands.
The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is leading the work. Participants include the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and other affected tribes, former mill-site owner Pope & Talbot, and current owner Pope Resources and its subsidiary, Olympic Property Group. Ecology received supplemental budget money this year to pay for this and other cleanups as part of Gov. Chris Gregoire's Puget Sound Initiative.
The Port Gamble project shows how Ecology is partnering with tribes, government, and private industry to make sure the state's investments in cleaning up and restoring Puget Sound pay off, said Tim Nord of Ecology's Toxics Cleanup Program.
"We're all working together to clean up and restore this site as a benefit to the environment and local communities," said Nord, who heads uplands and in-water cleanups.
The chairman of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe praised the effort.
"As the first inhabitants of the area, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe has a long and treasured relationship with Port Gamble Bay, and we are always interested in looking for ways to make it clean and pristine for generations to come," Ron Charles said. "The bay, sadly, has a history of pollution dating back to the 1850s with the operation of the sawmill. Unfortunately, the bay was used as a dumping ground for wood debris and the material byproducts of this commercial operation.
"The governor's Puget Sound Initiative and the funds it provides give us the opportunity to turn back time and remedy the damage that was done. The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe looks forward to working with the Department of Ecology, the Corps of Engineers, and Pope Resources to get this work accomplished. This effort is a good start to cleaning up the bay, and we are optimistic that this and future plans will help restore our beautiful bay to its former good health," Charles said.
"Restoring Puget Sound is a monumental task that will require sacrifice and contribution for every resident, government, business, and tribe," said Jon Rose, Olympic Property Group president. "This project is a meaningful partnership between the people of our state and the business community. We are happy to be part of the cleanup effort in Port Gamble and hope it is the start of better days for Puget Sound."
Pope & Talbot is the responsible party for the cleanup. Pope & Talbot and Pope Resources also have cleaned up four landfills, a shoreline area and other sites in Port Gamble through Ecology's Voluntary Cleanup Program. The program enables property owners to perform independent cleanups and obtain certification from Ecology when the work is complete, based on detailed technical reports.
Gov. Gregoire is asking Washington lawmakers to provide $220 million for Puget Sound cleanup and restoration in the 2007-09 state budget. A healthy Puget Sound supports jobs and recreation for every Washingtonian. Gov. Gregoire's plan will speed the cleanup of toxic chemicals, restore waterways and salmon habitat, help replace old septic systems and overflowing sewers, and reduce the pollution that runs into the Sound after heavy rains. Ecology already is working to clean up more than 550 sites within a half-mile of Puget Sound. Another 115 potential sites have been identified for work.
Ecology's work includes:
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For site access: Shana Smith, Olympic Property Group, 360-297-8074
For more information on Puget Sound cleanup: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/index.html
Contact: Seth Preston, Air Quality public information officer, 360-407-6848; cell 360-584-5744
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
