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Department of Ecology News Release - January 22, 2010
10-010
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) today announced that Rayonier has signed a new agreed order that obligates both parties to complete important assignments that will eventually lead to cleanup at the former Port Angeles mill.
The new accord replaces two older agreements and defines a “study area” where Rayonier will conduct additional groundwater and soil investigations, ultimately resulting in a plan for cleanup. The agreed order incorporates Rayonier’s previous work and requires additional data collection for a full understanding of the cleanup work needed in the study area. The order features an enforceable schedule of tasks to keep Ecology and Rayonier on track.
“We’re pleased to have a cooperative agreement with Rayonier, which means we’re closer to deciding cleanup options than we have been in years,” said Rebecca Lawson, Ecology’s regional toxic cleanup manager. “Focusing on the study area will help return the property to productive use much sooner than if we insisted on defining the entire area of contamination first.”
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, which has a formal role in the cleanup process, has also reviewed the agreed order, and given their concurrence to this action, though they expressed concerns about the length of the new time line extending the cleanup.
Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant applauded the news, saying “Rayonier can define its legacy in Port Angeles by making good on its pledge to work with Ecology and the Tribe to clean up its former mill site. This property should become an asset to the community, and this agreement is an important step in the right direction."
Ecology and Rayonier agreed on the concept of a study area, with the intent of allowing cleanup to proceed in this area while the two determine whether contamination from Rayonier may have spread beyond that boundary.
Rayonier will still be accountable for cleaning up any contamination outside the study area that can be linked to the mill’s 68 years of operation.
Ecology begins a 30-day public comment period on the agreed order, from Feb. 1 through March 5, 2010. After comments have been received and reviewed, Ecology can sign the agreed order.
There are several ways the public can read the agreed order and prepare comments:
Ecology welcomes the public to an open house Feb. 10 at the Port Angeles Senior Center, at 328 E. 7th Street. Staff will be on hand to respond to public questions and collect comments. The open house runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Comments also can be mailed or e-mailed to Ecology through March 5, 2010:
Marian Abbett, SWRO Toxics Cleanup Program Department of Ecology PO Box 47775 Olympia, WA 98504-7775 Marian.abbett@ecy.wa.gov
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Media Contacts: Kim Schmanke, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6239 (desk)
For more information about the Rayonier Mill cleanup: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/rayonier/rayonier_hp.htm
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
