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Department of Ecology News Release - July 29, 2008
08-209
OLYMPIA – Results from sampling work now in progress in the waters of Port Gardner Bay will help prioritize cleanup and restoration efforts there.
Port Gardner Bay is one of seven Puget Sound areas receiving early-action, high-priority attention under the Puget Sound Initiative. The initiative is a comprehensive effort by local, state, federal and tribal governments, business, agriculture and environmental communities, scientists and the public to restore and protect the Sound.
In Port Gardner Bay, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) will manage or assist with the cleanup of nine sites contaminated with gasoline, diesel fuel, metals, and other substances. Ecology has sent a team to work with the Port of Everett, site owners, area tribes, and others to help shape the cleanups.
“Sampling results help us decide how we can best do cleanup work that benefits the local environment and communities,” said Andrew Kallus, Ecology’s Port Gardner Bay project leader. “It also will help us focus cleanup efforts in a way that saves time and money.”
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) of Bothell will use research vessels to take samples. Estimated dates may shift because of weather or other conditions:
Ecology is leading similar bay-wide sediment investigations in other priority areas. They include Fidalgo Bay at Anacortes, Port Angeles Harbor, Olympia’s Budd Inlet, and Oakland Bay in Mason County.
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Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; spre461@ecy.wa.gov
For more information: 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.
