Ecology adopts local government grant/loan program to clean up hazardous waste sites

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - April 24, 2008

08-102

Sediments study will help guide cleanup work in Fidalgo Bay

OLYMPIA - A recent study of Fidalgo Bay sediments shows efforts to clean up contaminated sites in and around the bay are on target, according to the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).

Ecology designated Fidalgo Bay in Skagit County as a high-priority, “early-action” cleanup area under the Puget Sound Initiative – the state’s effort to clean up and restore the health of Puget Sound. Ecology plans to conduct similar bay-wide sediment studies in other early-action areas, including Port Gardner at Everett, Oakland Bay in Mason County, and Port Angeles Harbor. Results are pending for a study done in Budd Inlet at Olympia.

Ecology is working to clean up several Fidalgo Bay sites polluted with gasoline, diesel, metals, and other substances. The work will improve and protect the environment, help prevent people’s (especially children’s) exposure to toxic threats, safeguard wildlife, and possibly provide economic development opportunities.

“This was a good step to take. It will help us refine our cleanup efforts in and around Fidalgo Bay,” said Chance Asher, who supervises the aquatic lands cleanup unit in Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program. “It confirms that we chose the right sites for cleanup work.”

The study did not provide an overall health evaluation of Fidalgo Bay’s aquatic ecosystem. It looked specifically at chemicals in sediments and limited tissue samples. Ecology staff reviewed the study April 10 and 11 in Anacortes with local and state agencies, tribes, environmentalists, landowners, and businesses.

Among study findings:

Dioxins were found at locations throughout Fidalgo Bay. The highest concentrations were in the northwestern area of the bay and Guemes Channel. That’s not a surprise, since dioxins are common in air, water and soil. Human and natural activities – including combustion and incineration (domestic and industrial), and other industrial processes – produce dioxins. Research shows exposure to relatively high levels of dioxins is likely to cause cancer in humans and animals. However, people are normally exposed to much lower background levels. Most of our exposure to dioxins comes from the foods we eat.
Dioxin levels in samples taken in Fidalgo Bay ranged from 0.28 to 41 parts per trillion toxicity equivalent (TEQ). Samples taken in other Washington waters ranged as high as 4,000 parts per trillion TEQ.
Dioxins were found near the former Scott mill and Custom Plywood sites, which already are designated for cleanup. Ecology believes the cleanups planned at those sites will reduce the risk from dioxins.
A number of locations showed chemical levels above the state’s standards.
Locations in Guemes Channel and south of the Cap Sante Marina contained elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Creosote-treated logs and pilings commonly contain PAHs.

Ecology’s next steps:

Test the tissue samples from clams, crabs and bottom fish for metals, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Test results will help state and Skagit County health officials determine if eating shellfish and fish could pose a health risk to humans. A health assessment may be ready late this year.
Further evaluate sediment samples taken at sites in Guemes Channel and throughout Fidalgo Bay.
Continue current and planned site cleanup work.

Copies of the study report may be reviewed at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. Obtain a CD with the study report from Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program by contacting Ann McNeely at (360) 407-7205 or e-mail amcn461@ecy.wa.gov.

About the Puget Sound Initiative: The Puget Sound Initiative is a comprehensive effort by local, tribal, state and federal governments, business, agricultural and environmental interests, scientists, and the public to restore and protect the Sound.

Cleaning up and protecting Puget Sound is critical to the social and economic well-being of Washington residents. A healthy Puget Sound supports jobs and recreation for all residents. Cleaning up areas with important habitat and natural resources now will prevent sites from becoming more polluted and more complex, and will lower cleanup costs.

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Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; spre461@ecy.wa.gov

Read more about Ecology’s Puget Sound Initiative work: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/psi/overview/psi_baywide.html