Public Comments on Ecology Northport Waterfront Cleanup Plan

Details
Published: Thursday, 30 June 2022 18:52
 
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The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) took public comments on their Northport Waterfront Cleanup Action Plan from May 2 through June 1, 2022. Click here  to visit the Ecology website with background information and details, including slides from a May 17 public meeting.

The cleanup site is in Northport’s town park and boat launch waterfront area. Sampling for the Remedial Investigation Report showed arsenic, copper, lead and zinc at elevated levels in soil and sediment, posing a risk to human health and the environment. Ecology identified the source of contamination as associated with legacy metals from the Le Roi Smelter and the Teck Metals Ltd. Smelter in Trail, British Columbia.
 
Development of this cleanup plan is another milestone in a multi-year process. The engineering design is expected to be complete by March 2023 with construction beginning in September 2023. The estimated cleanup cost is projected to be $4.9 to $5.4 million.
 
As shown in Figure A, the site is separated into five cleanup areas: Seasonal Beach, Hillside, Jetty, Bay and Bayshore.
 
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Figure B summarizes the combination of cleanup actions planned for each area. More specifics are shared in Ecology’s public presentation slides and the draft cleanup action plan.
 
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Questions clarified at the public meeting included:

*  Construction will take place over the course of a year when water levels are low and in-water work is not required. Funding has been secured as part of Washington State’s capital budget.
*  For the seasonal beach and other areas, fill and cap materials will be the same type of cobble/soil that was excavated. A public beach is not being created.
*  If existing road and related infrastructure is harmed, funding can be used to fix damage.
*  The public dock area will improve boat access via excavation that will increase water depth by about 2.5 feet. It does not include any infrastructure improvements to the dock.
*  The boat launch will only be closed when construction in that area is occurring.
*  The hillside area will provide new and enhanced recreational opportunities while also protecting sensitive riparian areas.

Click here to review public comments received during the comment period and Ecology’s responses.