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Department of Ecology News Release - May 9, 2008
08-120
OLYMPIA – Olympia-area residents and other interested parties are invited to review and comment on the results of an extensive study by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) into dioxin contamination in Budd Inlet.
Beginning May 12, people can review the report, which summarizes the findings from last summer’s initial sampling and from recently analyzed samples. It will be posted to Ecology’s Web site; copies will be available at the Olympia Timberland Library and Ecology’s Lacey office.
Elevated levels of dioxins were found in the inlet’s sediments in 2006 when the Port of Olympia was preparing to dredge its berthing area. As a result, Ecology launched an investigation to learn as much as possible about the contamination, such as how far and deep it extends and whether there are any identifiable sources responsible for the dioxins.
Among the report’s findings:
Based on the report’s findings, Ecology plans to do more sampling around the Moxlie Creek outfall. Ecology also intends to sample near Priest Point Park and in the northern reaches of Budd Inlet to find where dioxin levels drop to what could be considered a background or more naturally occurring level unaffected by industrial pollution.
Dioxins are chemicals that pose potential health risks to humans, including the possibility of cancer. Dioxins are typically byproducts of industrial practices and usually are found around areas of heavy industrial use.
In addition to the sediments study, investigations and cleanups are underway at seven other sites in Budd Inlet.
Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup regional section manager, Rebecca Lawson, plans to use the information from these other investigations to complement the sediment study findings.
“Combining what we learn from each investigation in Budd Inlet will help paint a more complete picture of the contamination and shape a future bay-wide cleanup effort,” she explained.
Ecology will also share this information with its local, state and tribal partners who are involved with Budd Inlet restoration.
Public comments about the study will be taken from May 12 through June 17. Send comments to:
Rebecca Lawson, Ecology
SWRO Toxics Cleanup Program
PO Box 47775
Olympia, WA 98504-7775
rlaw4761@ecy.wa.gov
The public meeting starts at 6:30 on June 5 in Room A of the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street. Ecology staff will give a presentation at 7 p.m. and answer the public’s questions about study findings and next steps.
Budd Inlet is a high-priority cleanup area under the Puget Sound Initiative. The 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. 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.
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Media Contacts: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239 (desk) or 360-791-9830 (cell)
For more information Budd Inlet: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/budd_inlet/budd_inlet_hp.htm
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.
