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Department of Ecology News Release - April 29, 2008
08-106
OLYMPIA – Anacortes-area residents and other interested parties may review and comment on a proposed Agreed Order for cleanup efforts at the former Shell Oil tank farm site in Anacortes.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) proposes entering the Agreed Order with the Port of Anacortes, the site's owner. Ecology's Toxics Cleanup Program will accept comments beginning Wednesday, April 30, 2008, and continuing through May 30, 2008.
The site is located between 13th and 14th streets on Q Avenue, near Fidalgo Bay. The Port of Anacortes bought the property in 1929. Shell Oil and various other companies leased the site to distribute gasoline, diesel, oil, and other chemical products. Now the site is used for public parking.
In 1987, pollution from petroleum hydrocarbon was found in soil on the site and partially removed. In 2005, contamination from gasoline, diesel, and heavy oil was found in soil and groundwater. During work on the site in 2007, some cadmium-contaminated soil was discovered.
The proposed Agreed Order between Ecology and the port outlines the port's investigation and cleanup process. That would include a work plan for finding and analyzing contamination in soil and water; a report that details the investigation's results and proposes cleanup alternatives; and a cleanup action plan to identify a preferred cleanup and a work schedule.
Other Fidalgo Bay cleanup sites include the Dakota Creek Industries shipyard; the former Custom Plywood mill site; the former Scott Paper mill; and the MJB Properties site.
Ecology identified these sites and the former Whitmarsh Landfill on neighboring Padilla Bay as early-action areas under 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.
Here's where you can view the proposed Agreed Order for the Shell tank farm:
You may submit comments to Panjini Balaraju, Site Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600; e-mail pbal461@ecy.wa.gov.
Once the public comment period ends, Ecology will review and respond to all comments. The Agreed Order could be amended based on comments Ecology receives.
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Media Contact: Seth Preston, 360-407-6848; cell 360-584-5744; e-mail spre461@ecy.wa.gov
Read more about the Puget Sound Initiative: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/psi/overview/psi_baywide.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
