Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor Sediments

Facility Site ID: 18051 Cleanup Site ID: 13007

Shelton Harbor sediment cleanup unit and habitat restoration area
Shelton Harbor sediment cleanup unit and habitat restoration area

Industrial uses of Oakland Bay caused sediment contamination in Shelton Harbor and surrounding areas. Chemicals, wood waste, and waste water from timber and wood product manufacturing industries have been discharged into the bay.

Extensive research showed that contamination was most concentrated in Shelton Harbor, at the west end of the bay. To address that contamination, we defined a portion of the bay as the Shelton Harbor Sediment Cleanup Unit.

Through this cleanup work, Ecology has an opportunity to contribute to the success of a planned habitat restoration project in Shelton Harbor. We plan to dovetail restoration with the first stages of cleanup work in order to:

  • Make both projects more efficient
  • Ensure that the restoration project is built on a foundation that meets state cleanup standards.

Cleanup Progress

Legal agreement for cleanup

In the summer of 2017, we made a legal agreement, called an agreed order, with the Simpson Timber Company to begin cleanup in Shelton Harbor. The 2017 Agreed Order requires Simpson to:
  • Study the site and describe the types and extent of contamination (a remedial investigation)
  • Plan and carry out an early partial cleanup called an interim action.
  • Evaluate cleanup options through a feasibility study.
  • Choose cleanup methods and present a draft cleanup plan.

We accepted public comments on the draft agreement. Read our responses to comments on the 2017 Agreed order.

Interim action

In spring of 2018, Ecology accepted comments on Simpson's Interim Action Plan and a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance. We received two responses, which did not lead to major changes. Read our response to the interim action plan comments.

Sediment Study

Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor Sediments Study Site
Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor Sediments Study Site

In 2008 and 2009, with support from the Puget Sound Initiative, Ecology investigated the health of the sediments in Oakland Bay. Sediment contamination can impact plants and animals that live in or around the contaminated sediment. Some contaminants can have broader impacts when they move through the food chain.

We chose Oakland Bay because Shelton Harbor has a history of heavy industrial use and previous studies showed evidence of contamination. In addition, Oakland Bay is one of the most productive shellfish growing areas in the country.

We released a report on the Oakland Bay Sediment Characterization Study or public review and comment in 2010. The full text of the report is available by clicking the links below. The Sediment Investigation Report contains information about:

  • Location and amount of chemicals and wood waste in the sediment
  • Amount of sediment movement and deposition in Shelton Harbor and Oakland Bay
  • Potential effects of sediment contamination on the health of creatures living on or in the sediment
  • Possible sources of dioxin found in sediment

South Puget Sound Regional Background

If we removed every contaminant in South Puget Sound, would the sediment, air, and water entering the harbor re-contaminate the area? An update to the rule that guides our cleanup work in sediment (Chapter 173-204) introduced the concept of background chemical concentration levels to address questions like this.

Regional background includes chemical concentrations in sediment from diffuse sources, like regional stormwater or atmospheric deposition that are not linked to a specific source or release.

In 2018, we completed a study of the regional background levels of two contaminants found in Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor. The South Puget Sound Regional Background study uses existing data from areas surrounding Squaxin Island; south of Harstine Island; and five inlets, including Henderson Inlet, Budd Inlet, Eld Inlet, Totten Inlet and Oakland Bay.

The results of this study, in combination with our understanding of the risk that contaminants pose to human health and the environment, help us decide cleanup levels and inform cleanup decisions in the area.

Is It Safe To Eat Shellfish From Oakland Bay?

According to a health consultation from the Department of Health, even people who eat large amounts of shellfish from Oakland bay are very unlikely to see harmful health effects from the shellfish. The health assessment also determined that touching, breathing in, or accidentally eating contaminated sediment from Oakland bay is very unlikely to harm people’s health.

Read a fact sheet describing the health consultation.

Other Work In Oakland Bay

Ecology's Water Quality Program is currently developing a plan to address water quality problems in Oakland Bay, including fecal coliform bacteria. 

The Oakland Bay Clean Water District is a multi-agency coordinated effort to restore the health of Oakland Bay. 

Other documents about Oakland Bay sediments 

Related Contacts

For information about human health, contact:

Len O'Garro
Washington Department of Health
Email: Lenford.O'Garro@doh.wa.gov
Phone: 360-236-3376

Site use restrictions called institutional controls are in effect

Institutional controls can be fences, signs, or restrictions on how the property is used. For instance, an institutional control may prohibit installing drinking water wells or disturbing a protective cap that isolates contamination. These restrictions keep the contamination contained and keep people from being exposed to the contamination. The controls are usually listed in environmental covenants recorded with the county.

Periodic reviews are required when institutional controls are required at a site. Ecology conducts reviews to make sure the controls remain effective and the cleanup still protects human health and the environment. We conduct periodic reviews about every five years.

Environmental Covenant

County Recording #: 2129889
County Recording Date: 4/29/2020

Restrictions/Requirements

  • Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
  • Restrict Land Use
  • Restrict Sediment Cap Disturbance

Restricted Media

  • Sediment

Environmental Covenant

County Recording #: 2129888
County Recording Date: 4/29/2020

Restrictions/Requirements

  • Ongoing Maintenance of Remedy
  • Restrict Land Use
  • Restrict Sediment Cap Disturbance

Restricted Media

  • Sediment
Legal 6
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Environmental Covenant - Shelton Yacht Club Properties (Revised) - Ecology Grantee - 2150651 2/18/2021 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism
Oakland Bay & Shelton Harbor Sediments - Environmental Covenant South Harbor Properties 2145651 12/10/2020 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism
Environmental Covenant - Shelton Yacht Club Properties - Simpson Grantee - 2129888 4/29/2020 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism
Final PLP Status Letter - Rayonier Inc. 2/5/2019 Final Potentially Liable Person Status Letter
Shelton Harbor Agreed Order 2017 - Final 7/1/2017 Agreed Order
FInal PLP Status Letter - Simpson Timber 2/23/2017 Final Potentially Liable Person Status Letter
Public Information 13
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Shelton Harbor Responsiveness Summary 7/9/2018 Responsiveness Summary
South Sound Regional Background Fact Sheet 5/1/2018 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Shelton Harbor Comment_Vandehey 3/19/2018 Responsiveness Summary
Shelton Harbor Comment_Palmer 3/19/2018 Responsiveness Summary
Shelton Harbor Comment Contact LIst 3/19/2018 Responsiveness Summary
Shelton Harbor Interim Action fact sheet 2018 2/1/2018 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Responses to Comments - Shelton Harbor 2017 Agreed Order 11/1/2017 Responsiveness Summary
Responses to Comments - Shelton Harbor 2017 Agreed Order 11/1/2017 Responsiveness Summary
Hoja de Datos para la limpieza del Puerto Shelton 5/10/2017 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
SheltonHarbor_AgreedOrder_FactSheet 5/9/2017 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Shelton Harbor cleanup Public Participation Plan 5/1/2017 Public Participation Plan
Responsiveness Summary - Draft Oakland Bay Sediment Investigation Report 3/1/2011 Responsiveness Summary
Responsiveness Summary - Oakland Bay Sediment Investigation Draft Sampling and Analysis Plan 9/1/2008 Responsiveness Summary
State Environmental Policy Act 1
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Shelton Harbor - Mitigated DNS and SEPA Checklist 2/13/2018 SEPA Documents
Technical Reports 29
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Oakland Bay & Shelton Harbor Sediments Site- Public Review Draft Remedial Investigation 8/26/2022 Remedial Investigation Report
Oakland Bay & Shelton Harbor Sediments - Intent to Lease Property 6/29/2021 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Work Plan Addendum No. 1, Shelton Harbor Sediment Cleanup Unit 6/16/2020 Remedial Investigation Work Plan
Interim Action Operations, Maintenance, and Monitoring Plan 6/16/2020 Performance/Confirmational Monitoring Plan or Report
South Shelton Harbor Interim Actions - Completion Report Sediment Management Area #3 11/13/2019 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Shelton Harbor Interim Action, Season 2 Project Plans 6/3/2019 Engineering Design Report
Shelton Harbor Interim Action Basis of Design Report - Addendum 1 - Sediment Management Area #3 5/1/2019 Engineering Design Report
North Shelton Harbor Interim Actions - Completion Report 3/11/2019 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Shelton Harbor Interim Action Project Plans 9/30/2018 Engineering Design Report
Shelton Harbor Interim Action Project Specifications 9/30/2018 Engineering Design Report
Shelton Harbor Interim Action Basis of Design - Appendix A Data Report 9/30/2018 Engineering Design Report
Shelton Harbor Interim Action Basis of Design Report 9/30/2018 Engineering Design Report
Shelton Harbor Interim Action Corps of Engineers Nationwide #38 Permit 9/13/2018 Site Specific Technical Document - other
South Puget Sound Regional Background Report 5/1/2018 Human Health and/or Eco Risk Assessment
Shelton Harbor Pre-Remedial Design Investigation Work PLan 4/1/2018 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application for north harbor interim actions 2/15/2018 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Shelton Harbor Interim Action Plan 1/31/2018 Interim Action Documents
Soil Characterization Data Report (Railroad Spit) 8/1/2017 Remedial Investigation Report
Shelton Harbor Cleanup Unit - Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Work Plan 7/12/2017 Remedial Investigation Work Plan
Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor Sediments II 2/18/2016 Initial Investigation Report
Oakland Bay Sediment Dioxin Source Study Final Report 12/1/2014 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Presentation of Results, December 2010: Oakland Bay Sediment Investigation Report 12/15/2010 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Sediment Investigation Report (APPENDIX H - Bioassay Report): Oakland Bay Sediment Characterization Study, Mason County, Washington 11/1/2010 Remedial Investigation Report
Sediment Investigation Report (APPENDICES A-G and I-L: Oakland Bay Sediment Characterization Study, Mason County, Washington 11/1/2010 Remedial Investigation Report
Sediment Investigation Report: Oakland Bay Sediment Characterization Study, Mason County, Washington 11/1/2010 Remedial Investigation Report
Oakland Bay Geomorphic Assessment Mason County 3/19/2009 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Final Sampling and Analysis Plan - Oakland Bay Sediment Characterization Study, Mason County, Washington 9/18/2008 Sampling and Analysis Plan
Summary of Existing INformation and Identification of Data Gaps Technical Memorandum 5/1/2008 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Reconnaissance Survey of Inner Shelton Harbor Sediments 5/1/2000 Site Specific Technical Document - other
There may be more documents related to this site. To obtain documents not available electronically, you will need to make a public records request.

Places to see print documents

  • Southwest Regional Office
    300 Desmond Dr SE
    Lacey, 98503-1274
    Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.

Contaminants 4

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Halogenated Organics - Dioxins/Furans C
Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons C
Other Contaminant - Other Deleterious Substances C
Other Contaminant - Bioassay Failure C
S
Suspected
C
Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
B
Below Cleanup Levels
RA
Remediated-Above
RB
Remediated-Below
R
Remediated
This contaminant list was based on our best information at the time it was entered. It may not reflect current conditions at the site.