(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
We went to the east shore of the Duwamish River this morning for a city-led event marking the start of a major phase in pollution cleanup: The city is beginning cleanup at Slip 4 (location explained/shown here), described as one of five major “hotspots” that “collectively account for about half the chemical contamination on the river.” The city’s official news release (read it here) explains that this was a “pier and berthing area for industrial vessels” where “storm drains and emergency sewer overflows historically were routed.” Contaminants there include PCBs, metals, and petroleum products. The city bought the site to convert to habitat, and will be removing contaminated sediment/soil, “capping” the dredged site with clean sand, gravel, and rock, and demolishing an old concrete pier. Mayor McGinn, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition‘s James Rasmussen, and others held a media briefing there this morning.

(DRCC advisor B.J. Cummings and coordinator James Rasmussen with the mayor pre-briefing)
Here’s Seattle Channel video of the entire briefing:

This part of the cleanup is expected to be completed early next year. P.S. You can do your part to help the Duwamish heal and stay healthier – the annual fall Duwamish Alive! multi-site cleanup/restoration event needs plenty of volunteers, and it’s just nine days away, Saturday, October 15th. Here’s how to be part of it. And to stay in touch with cleanup plans and efforts, DRCC’s site has the latest – find it here.