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Department of Ecology News Release - December 23, 2008
08-335
OLYMPIA – As 2008 draws to a close, work continues on projects that will clean up contaminated land and in-water sites in Everett’s Port Gardner Bay and the Snohomish River Estuary.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) identified Port Gardner Bay as a high-priority, “early-action” cleanup area under the Puget Sound Initiative. That’s an effort by local, tribal, state and federal governments, business, agricultural and environmental communities, scientists, and the public to restore and protect the Sound.
In Port Gardner Bay, Ecology will manage or assist with the cleanup of nine sites contaminated with gasoline, diesel fuel, metals, and other substances. An Ecology team is working with the Port of Everett, other site owners, area tribes, and others to help shape the cleanups.
“Cleanup work protects natural resources, wildlife and public health by removing toxics that threaten them. We also know that having a healthy environment is crucial for Washington’s economy. Cleaning up contaminated sites allows them to be used for economic development, public access, recreation and other important uses,” said Andrew Kallus, Ecology’s Port Gardner Bay project leader.
“The environmental integrity of our properties is of the utmost importance to the Port of Everett,” said John Mohr, Port executive director. “That’s why we are so pleased to be included in the early-action program of the Governor’s Puget Sound Initiative process. By cleaning up our sites, we are able to redevelop these areas with jobs, businesses and recreational amenities and still meet our obligations to future generations to provide a clean Puget Sound.”
Here’s a look at the nine sites:
Everett Shipyard: Everett Shipyard Inc. operates this Port-owned site within the Port Gardner Wharf project boundaries along West Marine View Drive. Metals, petroleum products, anti-fouling agents, and other substances have been found in soil, storm drain sediments, and marine sediments. The pollution likely resulted from leaks, spills, stormwater runoff, and shipyard activities. In April, the Port, Everett Shipyard and Ecology signed an Agreed Order to investigate site contamination and to develop a cleanup plan. Site investigation started last week with upland sampling. In-water sediments will be sampled in early 2009. Cleanup is expected in 2011.
North Marina West End Site: Metals, petroleum products, and other pollutants have been found in soil and groundwater at this site. It’s part of the Port Gardner Wharf project. Former on-site tanks, marine service activities, and trucking operations likely caused the pollution. The Port already has done significant investigation and partial cleanup of this site. In June, the Port and Ecology signed an Agreed Order to investigate remaining site contamination and to develop a final cleanup plan. More site investigation is expected to start in spring 2009, with cleanup in 2011-12.
Bay Wood Products Site: Soil, groundwater and sediments at this Port-owned site may be contaminated from former on-site tanks and from historical sawmill operations. In October, the Port and Ecology signed an Agreed Order to investigate potential site contamination and to develop a cleanup plan. Site investigation is expected to start in spring 2009, with cleanup in 2011-12.
North Marina Ameron/Hulbert Site: Metals, petroleum and other substances contaminate soil and groundwater at this site. They likely came from historical lumber mill operations and other industries that operated on the site. The site is part of the Port Gardner Wharf project. The Port has done extensive investigation and partial cleanup at the site, but more investigation and cleanup work will be required. Ecology, the Port and other parties will work toward an Agreed Order to investigate site contamination and to develop a cleanup plan. Ecology expects the order to be ready in 2009.
Jeld-Wen: Various petroleum products and other pollutants contaminate soil and groundwater. The pollution likely stems from former on-site tanks, historical operations which included door manufacturing, pole treating, and saw milling, and possibly from improper barrel storage. In January, Ecology and owner Jeld-Wen Inc. signed an Agreed Order for site cleanup. Site investigation is expected to start in April or May 2009, with cleanup beginning in 2011.
ExxonMobil Bulk Storage Plant: Petroleum – from leaks and spills associated with bulk petroleum storage operations – contaminates soil and groundwater. Extensive site work already was done under two previous Agreed Orders with Ecology (in 1996 and 1998) to characterize site contaminants and contain pollution. Groundwater monitoring and petroleum recovery continue at the site. Ecology, ExxonMobil and American Distributing are working on a new Agreed Order for site cleanup.
Former Weyerhaeuser Mill A: This Port-owned site contained the former Weyerhaeuser Mill A lumber and pulp and paper operation from 1901 to the early 1980s in what is now a portion of the Port of Everett’s shipping terminals. Metals, dioxins/furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), wood waste, and other substances related to mill operations contaminate sediments there. Ecology and the Port will work toward an Agreed Order for a site investigation that will ultimately guide whatever remediation is necessary.
East Waterway: Uses in this area include the U.S. Navy base, Port-related deep-water shipping operations, and Kimberly Clark barging. Sediment contaminants identified so far include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenols, and metals. Ecology expects to work out cleanup agreements with several potentially liable parties.
Riverside Business Park: The former Asarco Everett Smelter plant was located upland of this Port-owned parcel. . Future area lowland cleanup activities depend in part on a bankruptcy settlement with former smelter operator Asarco.
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Media contacts:
Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; cell 360-584-5744;
spre461@ecy.wa.gov
Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett communications administrator, 425-388-0617; cell 425-344-0301;
lisam@portofeverett.com
Read more about efforts to clean up Puget Sound: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/index.html
Port of Everett Web site: www.portofeverett.com
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
