Ecology receives Draft Remedial Investigation Report for Snopac Site
Ecology expects to receive the revised Draft Remedial Investigation Report for the Snopac Site on May 27, 2020. The partial cleanup activities on the site will to move forward in late May/early June while the overall site cleanup plan is developed. A comment period for an Agreed Order and Interim Action Work Plan occurred in 2019.
An updated version of The Preliminary Cleanup Level (PCUL) document is available with new chemicals and toxicity data. The document is available in the list of electronic documents on Ecology's Lower Duwamish Waterway Site Page. There is an Excel file with the PCUL values and a Word file with information about how PCULs are calculated and how to use them properly.
Ecology Is Holding a Public Comment Period for General Recycling Individual NPDES Permit
Ecology invites the public to review and comment on the proposed individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for General Recycling of Washington LLC. The 30-day public comment period began on May 27, 2020.
The draft permit and fact sheet will be available online at the beginning of the comment period. Documents can be viewed at the Department of Ecology website: https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/paris/DocumentSearch.aspx by entering the permit number WA0991006. Comments should be sent to tricia.miller@ecy.wa.gov
General Recycling owns and operates the T105 dock and material handling facility at 4260 West Marginal Way SW, Seattle, located on the western shore of the Duwamish River. Stormwater discharges from General Recycling have been authorized under an Industrial Stormwater General NPDES permit since April 1995 (permit numbers SO3002341 and WAR002341). General Recycling installed chemical treatment enhancements in 2012 and has continued to add improvements to the treatment system. In 2015, Ecology issued Administrative Order No. 10984 to require General Recycling to apply for an individual permit and to sample additional parameters. This proposed individual permit sets effluent limits, and requires toxicity testing and a PCB pollutant minimization plan.
Ecology’s Work and Covid-19 Impacts
We're following the Governor's directive to stay home and stay healthy. Accordingly, we are joining a statewide effort to slow the spread of coronavirus by having staff work from home. While continuing our work, we will do everything possible to keep people safe and to accommodate public participation.
Updates related to our business practices and any operational changes are listed on this page and will continue to be updated as information changes. We have up-to-date guidance and information for the regulated community and those who conduct business with us.
All Ecology buildings are closed to the public. Staff are available by telephone and email, but will not be available for walk-in service at headquarters, regional, and field offices until further notice.
- Report a spill or environmental emergency by phone as normal to the regional office that serves your county.
- Public records requests are still being accepted. However, Ecology staff will be unable to conduct in-person record reviews. Only electronic records are currently available. (See more information below.)
- Visit our public input and events listing for updated information about public meetings.
- We are not currently accepting payments in person. Please see our Make a payment page for details.
- EPA closed the Manchester Environmental Laboratory. Any samples not already at the lab will not be able to be received.
For more information, see the statewide website: COVID-19/Coronavirus in our state.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work together to protect the health and well-being of all Washingtonians.
Información sobre la limpieza ambiental del Duwamish: Si le gustaría obtener este documento en español, favor de comunicarse con Gretchen Newman al 360-407-6097 o preguntas@ecy.wa.gov.
Thông tin về công tác làm sạch môi trường Duwamish: Nếu quý vị muốn nhận tài liệu này bằng tiếng Việt hoặc cần thêm thông tin, xin liên hệ ông Liêm Nguyễn 360-407-6955, điện thư: Lngu461@ecy.wa.gov.
For more information on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s work in the Lower Duwamish Waterway, visit https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=1002020, where you can subscribe to their email listserv for periodic updates
Ecology reviewing Draft Cleanup Alternatives document for Duwamish Shipyard site
We are reviewing a Draft Feasibility Study submitted on August 10, 2020, for the Duwamish Shipyard site. This report, which builds on investigation work at the site, suggests possible cleanup alternatives and then recommends a preferred alternative for the site. After our review, we'll host a public comment periodon the report. That will likely happen in late 2021.
Demolition begins at Snopac Property
Demolition of the building on the Snopac Property began in late August. This helps prepare for the Interim Action (partial) cleanup.The Interim Action Work plan was finalized in March 2020 after a public comment period in July 2019.
Ecology’s Water Quality Program offers grant and loan funding
Our Water Quality Combined Funding Program provides annual funding (grants and loans) to projects that improve and protect water quality throughout Washington. The application period for funding under the current (2022) cycle is now open until Oct. 13, 2020.
- Funding guidelines
For quick reference, Table 1 of these guidelines shows who is eligible for the 4 types of funding available, and Table 2 shows what types of projects may be funded by each type.
Ecology repsonds to diesel spill at Boyer Towing and Logistics
On August 4, about 304 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the ground when a tank was overfilled during a fuel transfer at Boyer Logistics (7318 4th Ave S, Seattle WA 98108). Some diesel entered the catch basin inlet and storm drain line and about 40 gallons made it to the Duwamish River. The tide was out at the time, so most of diesel that exited the pipe at the outfall impacted the exposed intertidal area. A much smaller volume entered the river itself, and altogether about 38 gallons were recovered during the cleanup operations.
When the incident occurred, the fueling operator immediately reported the spill to the National Response Center and Ecology’s Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS). Cleanup crews used absorbent pads on the intertidal sediment and a boom on the water to catch any fuel that entered the river, and then cleaned out the storm drain lines, catch basin inlet, oil-water separator, and the onsite stormwater treatment system to remove all residual diesel.
Our Spill Response Team provided cleanup oversight and coordination with other agencies. Our Duwamish Stormwater Inspector visited the property during cleanup operations to review the causes of the spill, identify any operational or structural pollution prevention deficiencies, and determine follow-up spill prevention and response actions. Ecology’s Inspector also provided that information to Boyer in the form of a Corrections Required Notice on August 5, 2020.
Ecology issues penalty for June 25 Coleman Oil spill
On June 25, 2020, we penalized Coleman Oil, LLC $7,500 for strict liability and negligence associated with an oil tanker spill. The spill occurred on August 1, 2018, when a Coleman Oil tank truck loaded with 11,300 gallons of gasoline made a sharp left from Spokane Street in Seattle onto Delridge Way SW. This route was not Coleman Oil's prescribed route to the delivery site. The tank truck rolled over, though its second trailer remained upright. The driver escaped from the rolled over cab and called for help.
Gasoline leaked from the overturned tank truck. The Seattle Police Department (SPD), Seattle Fire Department (SFD), Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Public Utilities, and Ecology responded. SPD controlled traffic, and SFD applied NovaCool firefighting foam to control the spill and keep it from igniting.
Approximately 2,800 gallons of gasoline leaked to the street stormwater drains, along with the firefighting foam. It was estimated that 406 gallons of gasoline was released into the West Duwamish Waterway via a stormwater outfall.
SPD also cited the driver for speeding. The SPD report also stated the light was yellow when the driver made the turn. Cleanup and decontamination of the stormwater structures continued through August 15, 2018.
Agreed Order finalized for Terminal 115 Plant 1 Site
We finalized the Agreed Order for the Terminal 115 Plant 1 Site on July 6, 2020. The order requires the Potentially Liable Parties to investigate environmental conditions and develop a draft cleanup plan.
We held a public comment period for a draft Agreed Order for the Site in May of 2020. The Agreed Order and other documents are on the Terminal 115 Plant 1 Cleanup Site.
Lower Duwamish Waterway Source Control Status Report available
The current Source Control Status Report is now available. The report summarizes source control activities conducted by the Lower Duwamish Waterway interagency Source Control Work Group during 2018.
Emerald Gateway interim action underway
The interim (partial cleanup) action for the Emerald Gateway site is in progress. Actions will include sampling soil and removing some contaminated soil. We finalized the Agreed Order for the Emerald Gateway Site on January 15, 2020.
Ecology receives Draft Interim Action Design Report for Emerald Gateway Site
We received the revised Draft Interim Action Design Report for the Emerald Gateway Site on March 6, 2020. The Interim Action Design Report will direct interim (partial) cleanup activities to move forward while the overall site cleanup is developed. A comment period for an Agreed Order and Interim Action Work Plan occurred in 2019.
Ecology hires a contractor to support the Green-Duwamish Pollutant Loading Assessment
Ecology secured a contract with RESPEC to provide technical support for the HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program – FORTRAN) Watershed Model. RESPEC will help set up the Pollutant Loading Assessment (PLA) model so it better addresses the management scenarios. In addition, the RESPEC contract will provide technical support for the Soos Creek Total Maximum Daily Load study, led by our Environmental Assessment Program.
The PLA Technical Advisory Committee met on February 19, 2020 to discuss important project updates. Meeting minutes will be posted on the project document page when available.
Información sobre la limpieza ambiental del Duwamish: Si le gustaría obtener este documento en español, favor de comunicarse con Gretchen Newman al 360-407-6097 o preguntas@ecy.wa.gov.
Thông tin về công tác làm sạch môi trường Duwamish: Nếu quý vị muốn nhận tài liệu này bằng tiếng Việt hoặc cần thêm thông tin, xin liên hệ ông Liêm Nguyễn 360-407-6955, điện thư: Lngu461@ecy.wa.gov.
For more information on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s work in the Lower Duwamish Waterway, visit https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=1002020, where you can subscribe to their email listserv for periodic updates
Ecology receives Draft Remedial Investigation Report for Snopac Site
We expect to receive the revised Draft Remedial Investigation Report for the Snopac Site on May 27, 2020. The partial cleanup activities on the site will move forward in late May/early June while the overall site cleanup plan is developed. We held a comment period for an Agreed Order and Interim Action Work Plan in 2019.
An updated version of The Preliminary Cleanup Level (PCUL) document is available with new chemical and toxicity data. The document is available in the list of electronic documents on Ecology's Lower Duwamish Waterway Site Page. There is an Excel file with the PCUL values and a Word file with information about how PCULs are calculated and how to use them properly.
Ecology is holding a public comment period for General Recycling Individual NPDES Permit
We invited the public to review and comment on the proposed individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for General Recycling of Washington LLC. The 30-day public comment period began on May 27, 2020.
General Recycling owns and operates the T105 dock and material handling facility at 4260 West Marginal Way SW, Seattle, located on the western shore of the Duwamish River. Stormwater discharges from General Recycling have been authorized under an Industrial Stormwater General NPDES permit since April 1995 (permit numbers SO3002341 and WAR002341). General Recycling installed chemical treatment enhancements in 2012 and has continued to add improvements to the treatment system. In 2015, Ecology issued Administrative Order No. 10984 to require General Recycling to apply for an individual permit and to sample additional parameters. This proposed individual permit sets effluent limits, and requires toxicity testing and a PCB pollutant minimization plan.
Design Report approved for Emerald Gateway cleanup aite
We approved an Interim Action Design Report for the Emerald Gateway site on April 6, 2020. This design report builds on the work plan approved in fall of 2019. It includes details on how to implement the Work Plan and specifies remediation levels that must be met.
Ecology involved in the Jim Clark Marina fire response
A fire started late into the evening March 27, 2020 at Jim Clark Marina. City of Seattle fire crews, harbor patrol, Ecology’s Spill Response team, and the U.S. Coast Guard all responded to the fire. Three boat houses, supporting dock structures, and approximately eight vessels were destroyed in the fire.
Due to safety concerns, it was not possible to assess fuel release at first.The U.S. Coast Guard contractors deployed hard booms to contain and recover fuel released. Drone footage confirmed that no fuel passed the boom once it was in place. However, a minor sheen was observed near the mouth of the Duwamish River on the West Waterway which wfrom a vessel which broke free very early on in the fire and became grounded near the shoreline downriver from the marina. This source was later secured.
Our spill responders returned to the scene daily until impacted vessels, debris, and fuel were recovered. In total, approximately 600 gallons of fuel (gasoline and diesel) from sunken and damaged floating vessels and approximately 150 gallons of oil from the water surface were recovered. Approximately 2,000 pounds of oily surface debris, which consisted of burned structures, were removed over the course of the response.
Administrative Order issued to Star Forge LLC, dba Jorgensen Forge
On April 9, 2020, we issued an Administrative Order to Jorgensen Forge, at 8531 E Marginal Way S, Tukwila. The facility discharges stormwater to the Lower Duwamish Waterway superfund site and is itself a contaminated site undergoing cleanup under the Model Toxics Control Act.
The new Administrative Order issued imposes additional discharge monitoring requirements, establishes indicator levels for pollutant parameters not included in the ISGP, and requires batch treatment of all future stormwater discharges to prevent continued discharge of pollutants to the Duwamish River. This investigation benefited from cross-program collaboration from staff in our Water Quality, Toxics Cleanup and Hazardous Waste-Toxics Reduction programs.
Green-Duwamish Pollutant Loading Assessment update
The Green-Duwamish Pollutant Loading Assessment (PLA) is an ongoing modeling project aimed at identifying sources of pollution in the Green-Duwamish watershed and strategies to reduce those sources. As of January 2020, our PLA Team is currently preparing the preliminary calibration results from the watershed model.
Agreed Order finalized for Emerald Gateway Site
Ecology finalized the Agreed Order for the Emerald Gateway Site on January 15, 2020. The order requires the Potentially Liable Party to investigate environmental conditions, develop a cleanup plan, and conduct an interim (partial) cleanup. The interim action will remove soil from a portion of the site to allow for redevelopment of the property.
We held a public comment period for the draft Agreed Order and draft Interim Action Workplan for in November of 2019. The Agreed Order and other documents are on the Emerald Gateway cleanup webpage.