U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10
Contacts: Suzanne Skadowski, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-6689,
vog.ape|ennazus.ikswodaks#vog.ape|ennazus.ikswodaks
Piper Peterson Lee, EPA Project Manager, 206-553-4951,
vog.ape|repip.eel-nosretep#vog.ape|repip.eel-nosretep
Terminal 117 Superfund site cleanup plan released for public comment
(Seattle – June 7, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is asking for public comments on a cleanup plan proposed for the
Terminal 117 Superfund site on the Duwamish River. Terminal 117 is
located in South Park between 14th Avenue South, Dallas Avenue South,
and South Donovan Street (see map). This “early action” cleanup will
remove river sediments and upland soils contaminated with toxic
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as part of EPA’s larger cleanup of the
Lower Duwamish Waterway. EPA will hear public comments on the cleanup
plan at a meeting on June 17th at the South Park Community Center. EPA
will accept written comments through July 7th.
The cleanup plan released today is part of a draft report called an
Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis. The cleanup plan brings
together years of sampling and analysis, interim cleanups, and community
engagement on Terminal 117. The draft cleanup plan includes two options
to remove the PCB-contaminated river sediments and upland soils. Both
cleanup options will remove soils contaminated with PCBs above the state
cleanup level from the Terminal 117 property and from some of the nearby
streets and yards. One cleanup option would remove most of the
contaminated sediment and put clean material over the contaminated
sediment left behind. The second option would remove all sediment
contaminated with PCBs above the state cleanup level.
The Port of Seattle and City of Seattle are conducting the contamination
study and cleanup under an EPA Superfund order. The Department of
Ecology provides review and input on the cleanup as part of their
efforts to control sources of contaminants to the river. The Duwamish
River Cleanup Coalition, the community advisory group for the Superfund
site, is providing independent technical review for the community. EPA
expects the cleanup will make the site available for many future
potential uses, including river habitat and public access, business and
residential development. After considering public comments, EPA will
decide on a final cleanup plan in a document called an Action
Memorandum. Public comments will be summarized and responses provided as
part of EPA’s decision. EPA expects the cleanup to begin in 2012 and
cost between $31 and $34 million.
Meeting and Comment Details:
Public Meeting: June 17th, South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave
South; open house at 5:30 pm, presentations at 6:00 pm, public comment
at 7:00 pm.
Send comments by July 7th by email: vog.ape|711lanimret01r#vog.ape|711lanimret01r or mail:
Terminal 117 Comments, EPA Region 10, 1200 6th Ave, Suite 900, ECL-111,
Seattle, Washington 98101.
The cleanup plan is on the Terminal 117 project web site: www.T117.com
and at the South Park Library, 8604 8th Ave S., Seattle.