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Terminal 117 cleanup proposed in South Park

Release Date: 06/07/2010
Contact Information: Suzanne Skadowski, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-6689, skadowski.suzanne@epa.gov Piper Peterson Lee, EPA Project Manager, 206-553-4951, peterson-lee.piper@epa.gov

(Seattle – June 7, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comments on a cleanup plan proposed for the Terminal 117 Superfund site on the Duwamish River. Terminal 117 is located in South Park between 14^th Avenue South, Dallas Avenue South, and South Donovan Street (see map). This “early action” cleanup will remove river sediments and upland soils contaminated with toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as part of EPA’s larger cleanup of the Lower Duwamish Waterway. EPA will hear public comments on the cleanup plan at a meeting on June 17^th at the South Park Community Center. EPA will accept written comments through July 7^th.

The cleanup plan released today is part of a draft report called an Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis. The cleanup plan brings together years of sampling and analysis, interim cleanups, and community engagement on Terminal 117. The draft cleanup plan includes two options to remove the PCB-contaminated river sediments and upland soils. Both cleanup options will remove soils contaminated with PCBs above the state cleanup level from the Terminal 117 property and from some of the nearby streets and yards. One cleanup option would remove most of the contaminated sediment and put clean material over the contaminated sediment left behind. The second option would remove all sediment contaminated with PCBs above the state cleanup level.

The Port of Seattle and City of Seattle are conducting the contamination study and cleanup under an EPA Superfund order. The Department of Ecology provides review and input on the cleanup as part of their efforts to control sources of contaminants to the river. The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, the community advisory group for the Superfund site, is providing independent technical review for the community. EPA expects the cleanup will make the site available for many future potential uses, including river habitat and public access, business and residential development. After considering public comments, EPA will decide on a final cleanup plan in a document called an Action Memorandum. Public comments will be summarized and responses provided as part of EPA’s decision. EPA expects the cleanup to begin in 2012 and cost between $31 and $34 million.

Meeting and Comment Details:

Public Meeting: June 17^th, South Park Community Center, 8319 8^th Ave South; open house at 5:30 pm, presentations at 6:00 pm, public comment at 7:00 pm.
Send comments by July 7^th by email: r10terminal117@epa.gov or mail: Terminal 117 Comments, EPA Region 10, 1200 6^th Ave, Suite 900, ECL-111, Seattle, Washington 98101.

The cleanup plan is on the Terminal 117 project web site: www.T117.com and at the South Park Library, 8604 8th Ave S., Seattle.