(Information contributed by Olympic Environmental Coalition)
The former Rayonier, Inc. facility located in Port Angeles was a chlorine-dependent pulp mill which operated from the 1930’s until its closure in February 1997. The mill used an ammonia-based acid sulfite process to produce dissolving-grade pulps for a specialty pulp market. Prior to 1972, polluted wastewater from the mill was discharged directly into Port Angeles Harbor through a series of outfalls along the shoreline. Even though stricter regulations for protection of human health and the environment helped control some of the contamination of the mill site and surrounding waters, historical contamination, spills, and permit violations have all contributed to this site being listed among the most toxic waste sites in Washington State.
The former mill site consists of approximately 70 upland acres, fronting the beach and shoreline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Port Angeles. Ennis Creek runs roughly one-half mile through the site. Salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act, geoduck, crab, as well as other fish and wildlife are present in marine and fresh waters adjacent to the site.
In March of 1997, Rayonier closed the mill. Later that year the EPA was petitioned to investigate the Rayonier Mill site and the landfills to which contaminated materials from the site had been dumped. EPA conducted an extensive inspection and analysis and found that many toxic chemicals contaminate the mill site, groundwater, Ennis Creek, adjacent marine areas, and properties upwind. Contaminants include dioxin/furans, PCBs, mercury, arsenic, manganese, lead, and others.
In January of 1999, EPA concluded that the mill site and adjacent marine waters were eligible for Superfund status. It was so contaminated it ranked high enough to go on the list of the nation’s most toxic waste sites. However, state and local elected officials requested that EPA defer Superfund listing in favor of site cleanup under WA state’s Model Toxics Control Act. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe requested an oversight role as the site lies within the usual and accustomed resource area. Under the state’s cleanup law, Rayonier is responsible for cleaning up this site to levels that are protective of human health and the environment.
None of the original deadlines for cleanup have been met. The WA state Department of Ecology has not released a new schedule since 2002, and has not indicated how they will hold Rayonier accountable to any future schedules. Meanwhile, the Olympic Discovery/waterfront trail was opened up for public use which includes going right through this old mill site.
In February 2005, OPAS wrote to the Department of Ecology asking that they place a high priority on cleanup of the site. In their response letter, they indicated that they were attempting to reach agreement with the Tribe and Rayonier on the amount and extent of contamination and the best method for cleanup. The letter also states: “Several interim cleanup actions have taken place to remove contaminants from the site and from the recreational trail that crosses the property. Before the trail was opened, the WA State Department of Health did an evaluation to determine if the public was at risk from exposure to harmful contaminants. They determined the trail was safe for public use.”
An uplands cleanup investigation report has been released for public review in November 2006, and a marine report will follow in 3-6 months. After more public review, a cleanup action plan will be developed. Keep the pressure on by contacting state legislators and the Department of Ecology with your comments for a speedy and thorough clean up. Write to: Bill Harris, Project Manager, SWRO Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program, PO Box 4775, Olympia WA 98504-7775, E-mail: whar461@ecy.wa.gov.