Oakland Bay Sediment Investigation

A PUGET SOUND INITIATIVE site – Reaching the goal of a healthy, sustainable Puget Sound now and forever

SITE DESCRIPTION

Oakland Bay is one of seven Puget Sound bays being targeted by the Puget Sound Initiative. Historical and current industrial uses of Oakland Bay have resulted in sediment contamination in Shelton harbor and surrounding areas. Chemicals and waste water from timber and wood product manufacturing industries have been discharged into Oakland Bay. Petroleum product spills that occurred from 1980-2004 also contributed contaminants to the waterway. Marinas, bulk fuel facilities, aging septic systems and storm water have also played a role in contaminating sediments.

Previous sediment investigations have confirmed the presence of several contaminants above state standards including; metals, semi-volatile organic compounds, petroleum products and wood waste contamination. Ecology is using special funding from the Puget Sound Initiative to investigate sediment pollution and develop a strategy for cleaning up the harbor.

The objectives of the Oakland Bay Sediments Investigation are to:

Determine the nature and extent of sediment contamination and wood waste throughout Oakland Bay.

Conduct a survey to determine the distribution of wood waste.

Attempt to determine the potential source(s) of dioxin, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination.

Current Status

Ecology recently received some preliminary data and is currently working on evaluating those findings. In response to the discovery of dioxins in Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor, Ecology is partnering with the Department of Health and the Squaxin Island Tribe to evaluate the potential for impacts to human health. According to the Department of Health, it is unlikely that eating shellfish from or having contact with sediments in Oakland Bay or Shelton Harbor will harm people’s health. Ecology, Department of Health and the Squaxin Island Tribe are working on developing a plan to conduct more sampling to confirm this.

The draft report for the sediments investigation is due to Ecology in early summer. That report will include the results from the sediment sampling, and contain data analysis, interpretation, and maps. Ecology will use this report to determine the next steps in the cleanup process. See the links below for more information about the preliminary results of the study and health concerns.

Department of Health Dioxin FAQ

Other Work in Oakland Bay

The Toxics Cleanup Program is not the only Ecology program addressing the problems in Oakland Bay. The Water Quality Program is also working in the Bay and is currently developing a plan to address water quality problems, including fecal coliform bacteria and temperature. For more information about this work visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/oakland_bay/index.html.

Also, the Oakland Bay Clean Water District is a multi-agency coordinated effort to restore the health of Oakland Bay. To learn more, visit:

The Oakland Bay Clean Water District web site

Public Involvement Opportunities

Ecology wants to keep you involved! You will have the chance to review and comment on key documents during the investigation process. Documents can be found at this Web site and at two different repository locations (listed at right). The next opportunity for public involvement will be the release of the draft Sediment Investigation Report. A public comment period and public meeting will be scheduled for Summer 2009.

SITE DOCUMENTS

Responsiveness Summary - September 29, 2008
Appendix
Final Sampling and Analysis Plan - September 25, 2008
Body Text
Figure 2-1 Vicinity Map of Oakland Bay
Figure 2-2 Site Map of Shelton Harbor
Figure 2-3 Previous investigation sample locations in Shelton Harbor
Figure 2-4 Previous investigation sample locations, former Evergreen Fuel site
Figure 2-5 Previous investigation sample locations in Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet
Figure 4-1 Geophysical mapping locations across Oakland Bay
Figure 4-2 Sediment and wood waste sample locations (to be collected) in Oakland Bay
Figure 4-3 Sediment and wood waste sample locations (to be collected) in Shelton Harbor
Figure 4-4 Sediment and wood waste sample locations (to be collected) at the former Evergreen Fuel site
Figure 4-5 reference sediment sample locations (to be collected) in Carr Inlet
Appendix A – Standard Operating Procedures
Part 1
Part 2
Appendix B – Field Forms
Appendix C - Health and Safety Plan
Part 1
Part 2
Appendix D – Sample Station Coordinate and Property Ownership Information
Fact Sheet - May 29, 2008
Public Participation Plan - June 2008
Oakland Bay Data Gaps Report
- Report Text

Related Information

Draft Sampling and Analysis Plan - Spring 2008

Additional Resources

SITE INFORMATION

Location:
Mason County

map showing site location as Mason County, WA

For more information about the sediments investigation, contact

Joyce Mercuri Site Manager
360/407-6260

Meg Bommarito Public Involvement Coordinator
360/407-6255

For information about human health, contact

Wayne Clifford
Washington Department of Health
Email: Wayne.Clifford@doh.wa.gov
Phone: 360/236-3181

For information about
commercial shellfish harvest, contact

Bob Woolrich
Washington Department of Health
Email: Bob.Woolrich@doh.wa.gov
Phone: 360/236-3329

Document Review Locations:

William G. Reed /
Shelton Timberland Library
710 W Alder Street
Shelton, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 426-1362

WA Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503

By appointment only:
Contact Debbie Nelson,
dene461@ecy.wa.gov or
(360) 407-6365