Superfund Sites & WA State Environmental Cleanups

Federal Superfund Sites vs. State MTCA Cleanups

Environmental cleanup sites in Western Washington generally fall under two distinct regulatory programs depending on the size, history, and severity of the location:

1. Federal Superfund Sites: The Lower Duwamish Waterway

The Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site encompasses a 5.5-mile stretch of the river flowing north through South Park, Georgetown, and Tukwila into Elliott Bay. Listed by the EPA in 2001, this industrial corridor is undergoing extensive multi-agency restoration:

• Riverbed Sediment Remediation: Involves targeted dredging of high-priority toxic spots, capping riverbed sections with engineered layers of clean sand and gravel, and monitored natural recovery.
• Source Control: The WA Department of Ecology works alongside local municipalities to inspect industrial storm drains and prevent re-contamination.
• Resident Seafood Harvest Advisories: While migratory salmon pass through safely, state health authorities advise against eating resident bottom-dwelling fish (perch, sole) or crabs harvested directly from the river.

2. WA Department of Ecology "What's in My Neighborhood" Database

Beyond large federal Superfund zones, the Washington Department of Ecology maintains an interactive public mapping database called What's in My Neighborhood. This portal maps thousands of localized environmental sites across King and Snohomish counties:

• Active Cleanup Sites: Properties currently undergoing environmental assessment, soil removal, or groundwater monitoring under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).
• No Further Action (NFA) Sites: Properties where soil or groundwater contamination was successfully excavated or remediated to state standards, earning formal state closure certification.
• Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP): Independent property owner cleanups conducted with formal technical review and confirmation from Department of Ecology toxicologists.