EPA pitches $290 million cleanup for Duwamish Superfund site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a $290 million plan to dredge and cap the Superfund site at the Duwamish River, where it flows into Elliott Bay.

The proposed plan, developed by the EPA based on reports prepared by the Port of Seattle, city of Seattle and King County, was released last month and proposes to address chemicals in the whole 157 acres making up the east waterway, one of two industrial channels of the river north of the Spokane Street Bridge.

It prescribes excavating more than 193 million gallons of heavily contaminated soil, sand and other sediment from about 99 acres of the river bottom, treating 12 acres under docks and piers, capping another 7 acres near the shore with clean soil, and treating 3 acres through “enhanced natural recovery.” Another 36 acres will undergo “monitored natural recovery” where there will be no dredging or capping.

The EPA anticipates working with the port, city, county and possibly others to implement and pay for the cleanup under a consent decree or administrative order with EPA oversight.

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