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Oakland Bay Sediment InvestigationA PUGET SOUND INITIATIVE site – Reaching the goal of a healthy, sustainable Puget Sound now and forever  SITE DESCRIPTIONAs part of Governor Gregoire’s efforts to restore the health of the Puget Sound, Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program is investigating sediment pollution in seven Bays. These bays include Oakland Bay, Budd Inlet, Port Angeles Harbor, Port Gardner, Port Gamble, Fidalgo and Padilla Bays, and Dumas Bay. The goal is to locate and clean up contamination to protect and maintain sustainable use of valuable natural resources. Ecology chose Oakland Bay because Shelton Harbor has a history of heavy industrial use and previous studies have provided evidence of contamination. In addition, Oakland Bay is one of the most productive shellfish growing areas in the country. Industrial uses of Oakland Bay resulted in sediment contamination in Shelton Harbor and surrounding areas. Chemicals, woodwaste, and waste water from timber and wood product manufacturing industries have been discharged into Oakland Bay. Previous investigations revealed the presence of several contaminants above state standards including; metals, semi-volatile organic compounds, petroleum products and wood waste contamination. Early actions in embayments throughout the Puget Sound will contribute significantly towards overall restoration efforts. Ecology’s work will help with efforts to restore the health of the Sound by 2020. In 2008 and 2009, Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program conducted a sediment study to investigate the health of the sediments in Oakland Bay. Ecology has summarized the results of the study in the Sediment Investigation Report, which was released for public review and comment in December 2010. The Sediment Investigation Report contains information about:
Ecology requested that the Department of Health (DOH) evaluate sediment and tissue data from Oakland Bay. 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. Read the DOH health consultation report. Current StatusEcology is developing next steps for sediment cleanup. You can download slides from our May 3, 2011 presentation for the Board of Mason County Commissioners for an overview of the sediment investigation and next steps. Ecology is participating in an effort being led by the Squaxin Island Tribe and Simpson Timber Company to identify potential habitat improvement projects in Shelton Harbor. Ecology’s role will be to ensure that cleanup measures are included in habitat improvement plans. For more information about habitat improvement work in Shelton Harbor: If you would like to be added to our email or mail list to receive updates about Ecology’s work in Oakland Bay, please contact Diana Smith at the contact information listed in the bar on the right. Other Work in Oakland BayEcology's Water Quality Program is currently developing a plan to address water quality problems
in Oakland Bay, including
fecal coliform bacteria. For more information about this work
visit
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/oakland_bay/index.html. SITE DOCUMENTSMay 3, 2011
March 23, 2011 December 2010
2008
Related InformationDraft Sampling and Analysis Plan - Spring 2008 Additional Resources |
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Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
SITE INFORMATION
