Ecology looks to energize Rayonier Mill cleanup in Port Angeles

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - September 24, 2009

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Ecology looks to energize Rayonier Mill cleanup in Port Angeles

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) team leading cleanup efforts at the former Rayonier Mill in Port Angeles has finished preparing a new agreed order and is sending it to the company for signature. This proposed agreement outlines a timeline for Rayonier to complete specific tasks and products that will lead to cleanup of the company’s property and the adjacent marine environment.

“We’re pleased to be at a point that will move this cleanup forward and help return this property to productive use,” said Ecology’s regional cleanup manager, Rebecca Lawson. “The community has patiently waited for signs of progress, and this action signals Ecology’s commitment to getting this cleanup done.”

She said that under the new agreed order, Rayonier would complete the unfinished contamination investigation and evaluate cleanup options in what’s known as the “study area” – Rayonier’s property and a portion of the adjacent marine environment. The study area is a portion of the larger Rayonier Mill cleanup site.

Lawson believes the disagreement over the extent of Rayonier’s contamination has been a significant factor in the pace of cleanup efforts. Since the proposed agreed order specifically addresses the area Ecology and Rayonier agree has likely been contaminated by the mill operations, Lawson believes cleanup will accelerate.

Lawson says the new agreed order doesn’t limit Rayonier’s liability for mill-related contamination that might be found off the mill’s property, or elsewhere in the community or harbor. Additional efforts by Ecology, such as the off-property soil dioxin study and sediment sampling in the harbor, will help determine where cleanup is necessary.

Key highlights of the draft agreement:

Fill data gaps. Previous investigations didn’t provide complete information about the type and extent of contamination on the property or in the harbor area. Rayonier will need to do more sampling on its property and incorporate data from the harbor sampling Ecology conducted in 2008.
Evaluate options and draft an interim action plan for the study area. Once data gaps are addressed, Rayonier and Ecology can evaluate the types of technologies most effective for dealing with the contamination in the study area.
Maintain accountability for Ecology and Rayonier. The work schedule provides deadlines for Rayonier to complete tasks necessary for the cleanup process and ensures timely review and response from Ecology.

“Ecology doesn’t see any reason why this cleanup can’t move forward on a more visible and fast track,” Lawson said.

Portions of the Rayonier property and adjacent marine environment — the study area — are contaminated with PCBs, dioxin, arsenic and other toxins left by the former pulp mill over 68 years of operations. The full extent of contamination that Rayonier is responsible for cleaning up has not yet been defined.

Through a unique agreement, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has a concurrence role in the Rayonier cleanup process. The Tribe has already reviewed the draft agreed order and given its support for the new path forward.

Ecology expects Rayonier to sign the agreed order within 60 days. If the negotiations are productive but need more time, Ecology can choose to extend the deadline. Ecology will hold a public comment period and open house once Rayonier has signed the Agreed Order.

A public comment period and meeting about the draft agreed order would then follow. Ecology plans to sign the order after considering public comment.

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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239 (desk); 360-791-9830 (cell)

For more information: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/rayonier/rayonier_hp.htm