Changes proposed to the Lower Duwamish cleanup plan based on updated health risk information

The Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site is a five-mile segment of Seattle’s only river, the Duwamish. The river flows between the neighborhoods of South Park and Georgetown and through the industrial core of Seattle into Elliott Bay. Because of past industrial and other processes there are high levels of chemicals in the river sediments, water, and fish. These contaminants pose a risk to the environment and to people’s health, especially for those who eat resident fish from the waterway. In 2014 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final cleanup plan for 411 acres of contaminated Waterway sediments.

Along with PCBs, dioxins/furans, arsenic, and other contaminants, cPAHs are targeted for cleanup in the Lower Duwamish Waterway. EPA is proposing changes to the cPAH levels in the cleanup plan to incorporate updated health risk information. These changes are described in a proposed Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD).

The chemical benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of seven carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs). In 2017 EPA scientists finalized an update to the 1987 health risk information for BaP following extensive technical review. The update indicated that the cancer risk associated with BaP is less than previous estimates.

We value your input and would like to hear from you. The proposed ESD is available for your review and comment until March 8, 2021. EPA will present information, and answer questions, about the proposed ESD at an online community meeting on February 17, 2021. The presentation will also be shown in Spanish, Khmer, and Vietnamese, with interpreters for the question and answer session. The recorded presentations will be available online after the meeting.

No decisions will be made at this meeting. EPA is accepting written comments at Region10@epa.gov on the proposed ESD until March 8.

To attend the online presentation on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM:

The meeting will be held via Zoom. All participants (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer) should use this link:
https://zoom.us/j/362818756 ; Meeting ID: 362 818 756

Meeting materials will be provided on the Lower Duwamish Waterway Roundtable website by Monday, February 15

Interpretation will be provided:

• For Vietnamese audio, call 206-456-6050 Passcode: 35583#.

• For Spanish audio, call 206-456-6050 Passcode: 15297#.

• For Khmer audio, call 206-456-6050 Passcode: 05513#.

Fact Sheet: Proposed Changes to the Lower Duwamish Cleanup (PDF)

The proposed Explanation of Significant Differences is available on our website.