We are cleaning up as much of the contamination as we can now, while simultaneously working with the Washington State Departments of Ecology and to develop a long-term plan to remove solvents from the groundwater. The Port has so far spent millions of dollars to remove solvents from soil and groundwater.

Actions we have taken include:

• The Port has been actively working to lower the concentrations of contaminants in soil, soil gas, and groundwater.

• To ensure that our neighbors are safe, the Port manages a comprehensive contaminant monitoring program in the vicinity of the Swan and Cadet sites, including the Fruit Valley Neighborhood. This includes groundwater, indoor and outdoor air, and soil gas monitoring.

• The Port is working diligently with the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health to understand where the contamination is, minimize potential exposure, and ensure safe levels in homes. The Port regularly provides sampling results to agencies for review and comment. The Port then works with the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health to resolve any comments received.

• The Port recently reached settlements that will help fund cleanup costs. However, these funds will not cover the full costs of cleanup. Port tax revenue will be used to fund the remaining cleanup costs. The Port also receives grant funds from the Department of Ecology for the cleanup.

Benefits of Short-Term Actions
Short-term efforts have greatly reduced the amount of contamination in soil, soil gas, and groundwater. While we continue to remove solvents from the groundwater, we are also working on a long-term solution for complete groundwater cleanup under the supervision of the Washington State Department of Ecology.

We are also protecting the groundwater from new contamination. We have implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) at the Port’s own domestic water wells. EMS is a standardized management system used worldwide to prevent pollution. EMS systems set the highest of standards for environmental management and pollution prevention.

In addition, we conduct annual environmental audits of our tenants to prevent pollution on Port properties.

Next Steps
We are committed to working with Departments of Ecology and Health to find effective solutions that remove what is left of the solvents from the groundwater. This includes:

• Managing on-going groundwater treatment systems

• Maintaining and monitoring on-going soil vapor vacuum systems installed in some homes in the North Fruit Valley Neighborhood where indoor air was potentially affected by the solvent contaminated groundwater

• Preparing a comprehensive air monitoring plan

• Completing the investigation of the nature and extent of solvent contamination and determining the potential health risks associated with that contamination (called the Remedial Investigation)

• Continuing outreach programs to the community

• Implementing a long-term soil and groundwater cleanup solution

Future Milestones in the Cleanup Process
The most significant future milestones in the cleanup process include:

• The Remedial Investigation will be completed at the Swan and Cadet sites in 2007

• Along with continuing our interim cleanup efforts, the Port’s evaluation of long-term cleanup solutions, called the Feasibility Study, will be submitted to the Department of Ecology in 2007

• A Cleanup Action Plan will be developed by the Department of Ecology to identify specific long-term cleanup activities. The Cleanup Action Plan will be completed in 2008, and will be available for public review and comment

• Long-term groundwater cleanup systems will be implemented in 2009, as part of the Cleanup Action Plan

• Opportunities for public comment will be provided at key stages in the process. The interested community, including those living and working in the Fruit Valley Neighborhood, will be kept informed of these opportunities

Click here for more details on Environmental Study, Cleanup, and Treatment Systems.

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