Western Port Angeles Harbor cleanup

The site manager will give a presentation about the site and planned cleanup activities from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m, followed by time for questions. Before and after the presentation, Ecology staff will be available for one-on-one discussions about the site.

We will accept written comments on the proposed cleanup plan, legal agreement, and SEPA determination of non-signifigance at the event.

Background

In the past, industries on the western shoreline of Port Angeles Harbor released waste into the harbor and lagoon. Contaminated stormwater was discharged into the harbor.

Mills burned saltwater-soaked wood debris as a fuel source. Burning this debris formed hazardous substances, like dioxin, that rose up through smokestacks and settled out onto marine sediments. The contaminants include dioxins/furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), and metals such as mercury.

These substances can pose a risk to human health through direct contact with contaminated sediment or by eating fish and shellfish exposed to these contaminants. They can also harm marine animals living in the sediment.

Visit the Western Port Angeles Harbor webpage to learn more.