Westman Marine cleanup site, Blaine

We invite you to review and comment on a legal agreement that will settle liability for this cleanup site in the Blaine Harbor industrial area.

The Port of Bellingham is ready to start cleaning up this site. We would like your feedback on two cleanup documents:

• Consent Decree: Legal agreement between Ecology and the Port of Bellingham. It requires the port to carry out the cleanup action plan, Ecology’s plan for addressing contamination at the site. It also settles the port's liability.
• Updated Public Participation Plan: Describes how Ecology will inform the community about the site activities and ways to become involved.    

These documents and more information are available on the Westman Marine Inc cleanup webpage.

You may request a meeting about the documents. We will consider requests and schedule a meeting when appropriate. To request a meeting, contact Kristen Forkeutis (Kristen.Forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov or 425-240-4353) before April 21, 2026.

Background

The site has a 1-acre upland area (Upland Cleanup Unit) and a 27-acre in-water area (Sediment Cleanup Unit) extending throughout Blaine Harbor.

Blaine Harbor was originally created in the late 1930s by dredging the tide flats and using the dredged material to create an upland area. The harbor’s upland areas were expanded in the 1940s, 1950s, and again in 2001.

Since about 1949 the port has leased the property to several different companies for marine operations. Portions of the property were contaminated by past boatyard activities, including maintenance and repair.

Cleanup plan

The cleanup action will include the removing contaminated soil, contaminated sediment, and associated infrastructure. Site use controls that restrict certain activities as well as a long-term operation and maintenance plan will be required. Compliance monitoring will also take place to make sure the in-water cleanup continues to meet standards over time.