Fidalgo and Padilla bays are one set of seven Puget Sound water bodies chosen as priorities for substantial cleanup and restoration. We began environmental cleanup and restoration along the rim of the bays in 2007, choosing sites that that had already been identified as needing cleanup, but where cleanup had been delayed.
These bays support the second largest eelgrass bed on North America's Pacific Coast, acting as a nursery for herring, salmon, and other wildlife. A portion of Fidalgo Bay was also designated as a marine wildlife preserve to protect the rich ecosystem.
Anacortes-area baywide highlights
Seafarer’s Memorial Park is part of two former cleanup sites: Scott Paper Mill and Cap Sante Marine. These cleanups yielded a usable beach and eelgrass nursery, amphitheater, kayak launch, and restaurant.
Historical and cleanup signage provided by Trail Tales on the Tommy Thompson trail reminds us of the local history, the effort and commitment needed to clean up the site, and the value of restoring habitat.
The Custom Plywood beach restoration project plan includes replanting native wetland, riparian, and beach plants.
The Fidalgo Bay sediments investigation in 2007 provided valuable information to help us understand where to focus our cleanup efforts. Contact our baywide coordinator for the full report.
The Puget Sound Initiative launched a significant effort in 2007 to restore and protect Puget Sound. By the goal of 2020, we accomplished the following at Fidalgo and Padilla bays:
Listed eleven sites for investigation and cleanup.
Studied nine sites so we could plan cleanups.
Cleaned up seven sites, resulting in economic development, increased public access to restored shorelines, and restored ecological habitat.
Monitoring, investigation, and cleanup work continues to further enhance the local environment and community.
This effort is transforming the Anacortes area waterfront. Our cleanup work has continued to spark development of a vibrant area for the community to enjoy, brought in new businesses, and restored the vitality of the marine zone. Cleanup has moved faster and more smoothly thanks to the participation, encouragement, and vision of the local tribes and community.
Fidalgo and Padilla bay cleanup sites
Click on a site dot for more information, or see the site list below.
Anacortes Port Log Yard: Part of the Port's Pier 2 used to be used for log exporting, which left wood debris in the tidal areas next to the pier. As it decomposed over time, the wood debris degraded marine habitat.
The Port completed their investigation and are in the process of determining the level of cleanup needed to protect human health and the environment.
The port completed cleanup in May 2008 as part of their redevelopment of Cap Sante Boat Haven. Cleanup crews removed about 10,000 cubic yards of soil that had been contaminated by leaking gasoline and diesel tanks. As part of the cleanup, shoreline restoration enhanced marine habitat and public access within the marina. The remediated area is currently home to Anthony's restaurant and summer concerts.
Cleanup is nearly done on the Custom Plywood Mill site in the central part of Fidalgo Bay. Upland cleanup began at the site in 2011. Workers removed a large portion of the most contaminated marine sediments in December 2013. Post-construction monitoring is underway in the uplands and sediment areas.
The Port's Dakota Creek Shipyard underwent a major redevelopment in 2008. Workers cleaned up contamination from past use of the site for bulk fuel storage, shipbuilding, and other industry. Removing contaminated sediments allowed for a deeper basin in the shipyard that allows for larger ship access.
In 2023, contaminated soil was removed from the upland area of the site. Confirmational monitoring is underway to determine effectiveness of the soil removal.
This site is a marine ship repair and maintenance facility. An agreed order with Guemes Channel Holdings, LLC has been signed with the intent on starting the environmental investigation this fall.
Seafarers Memorial Park and the land immediately south and west used to be the Scott Paper Mill, as well as other industrial operations. These uses contaminated soil, groundwater, and offshore sediment. Cleanup crews completed a massive cleanup, including removing tens of thousands of cubic yards of soil and sediment from the land and water. Shoreline habitat restoration and public access enhancements were integrated into the cleanup.
The March Point Landfill site, formerly known as Whitmarsh Landfill, is on the southern end of Padilla Bay, next to Swinomish tribal lands. Investigations showed low levels of contamination discharging into the bay which prompted a cleanup action plan to protect the bay.
The plan is designed to hinder water from entering or exiting the landfill, keeping the contamination contained. Cleanup is projected to start May 2025.
The MJB Properties site is includes both the MJB North Dock and the Scott Paper Mill consent decree areas. There were multiple environmental studies between 1993 and 2011. In 2011 workers excavated a large amount and disposed of it off-site. They did more limited excavation and disposal in 2013. Two parcels on the site have an environmental covenant. The site is in the early stages of redevelopment.
Investigations in 1991 revealed several contaminant of potential concern. MJB, the owners of the MJB South Hydrofill site, performed a targeted independent cleanup during redevelopment of a marine boat ramp in 2011. An additional investigation in 2011 addressed gaps in the data. A 2013 cleanup action targeted remaining soil contamination.
Ecology issued a No Further Action letter in 2014.
Investigation and cleanup is underway at the Quiet Cove site. The Port did an interim action cleanup in 2020, demolishing the buildings and excavating and disposing of contaminated soils rom within the property boundary.
We are currently investigating areas where we don't have enough data, so we can determine the extent of soil and groundwater impacts before completing the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study.
The Shell Oil Tank Farm operated for many years near the historic shoreline of Fidalgo Bay. As a result, site soils and groundwater were impacted by petroleum-related contaminants.
Cleanup crews completed an interim cleanup action in winter 2007, and completed site cleanup in February 2015, removing over 8,400 tons of contaminated soil. The location is now a parking facility for local boat launching and other maritime needs.
The Port of Anacortes restored habitats, improved the neighboring boat ramp, and cleaned up dilapidated structures on land and in the water. Cleanup efforts removed over 400 tons of contaminated soil and created approximately 17,800 square feet of intertidal habitat and 8,500 square feet of riparian/salt marsh habitat between 2008 and 2014.
