I & J Waterway

Last updated: June 2026

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Read the 2023 Fact Sheet 

The Department of Ecology is overseeing the cleanup of the I & J Waterway site on the Bellingham waterfront. The Port of Bellingham is leading the cleanup. We expect to review the engineering design report (EDR) by the beginning of 2027 for the remaining area that needs to be cleaned up.

Our most recent public comment period took place from August 28 to September 26, 2023 (read the fact sheet) for review of the following legal agreements for each of the two Sediment Cleanup Units (SCU-1 and SCU-2) that make up the site.

• Consent Decree, SCU-1. This agreement between Ecology, the Port of Bellingham
  (Port) and Bornstein Seafoods (Bornstein) requires the port and Bornstein to design and implement the cleanup of SCU-1. It includes an updated version of a cleanup plan finalized by Ecology in 2019.


• Agreed Order, SCU-2. This agreement between Ecology and the port requires the port to design the cleanup of SCU-2. It includes the same updated cleanup plan as the consent decree for SCU-1.

Ecology did not receive any public comments on these documents, and they were finalized without change.

Want to learn more?

• Visit our 2024 blog to read about the start of sampling and dredging work in I & J Waterway.

Progress towards cleaning up this site continues. A timeline of recently completed work and future work follows:

• July 2024–Feb 2026: Completed the cleanup of SCU-1
  This included dredging contaminated sediment, adding new piles, and building a new dock.


• 2027: Advance the design for SCU-2
  This includes the engineering design report.


• 2029: Begin the cleanup of SCU-2
  This cleanup work will occur under a future legal agreement which will be shared for public review. It is also being coordinated with the cleanup of the Whatcom Waterway site. 

The timeline is subject to change.

Join our email list to receive updates about the I & J Waterway cleanup site. Email Kristen Forkeutis, Public Involvement Coordinator, at Kristen.Forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov to be added to the list. Unsubscribe at any time.

The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is Washington’s environmental cleanup law. It provides requirements for contaminated site cleanup and sets standards that protect human health and the environment. Ecology enacts MTCA and oversees cleanups. The MTCA site cleanup process is completed in steps over a variable timeline.

Current I & J Waterway cleanup site Public Participation Plan

This plan describes how Ecology will share information with the community and how you can share information with us. Ecology will review this plan as the cleanup progresses and amend/update it as necessary.

History
The I & J Waterway cleanup site is about 3.1 acres in Bellingham Bay, between Hilton Avenue and Bellwether Way. The Port of Bellingham and the State of Washington own the property in the site boundaries.

The site has contaminated marine sediments in the waterway and nearby ship-berthing areas caused by shoreline industrial activities from past owners and port tenants. Parts of the site were used for lumber mill operations from the early 1900s through 1972. Other industrial operations included a rock-crushing plant from 1963 to 1992, frozen food processing from 1946 to 1959, and a seafood processing plant that has operated since 1959.

Contamination
The following contaminants from past industrial activities, including lumber mill operations, rock crushing, and seafood processing are in the marine sediment:

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• phthalates
• phenols
• nickel

A building fire likely contributed to the contamination as well.

Other contaminants such as dioxins/furans, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs) were also found at the site. Dioxins/furans are present throughout Bellingham Bay from many possible sources including former pulp and paper mills, wood treatment operations, and on-going burning activities. Mercury is related to past discharges from the Georgia-Pacific Pulp and Tissue Mill. The source of PCBs is unknown.

The concentrations of contaminants are above acceptable levels under the state’s cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act, and must be addressed.

Bellingham Bay Action Team
The I & J Waterway site is one of 12 sites coordinated through the Bellingham Bay Action Team (BBAT). BBAT is a bay-wide multi-agency effort to clean up contaminated sediment, control sources of sediment contamination, and restore habitat, with consideration for land and water uses. In 2000, participants in this initiative developed the Bellingham Bay Comprehensive Strategy.

Need help or have questions? We offer translation and interpretation services at no cost. If you need these services, email kristen.forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov or call 425-240-4353. If you call, ask for an interpreter to be connected with one.

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Le ofrecemos servicios de traducción e interpretación sin costo. Para solicitar una copia de esta información en español, llame a Kristen Forkeutis al 425-240-4353 o envíe un correo electrónico a kristen.forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov. Si necesita servicios de interpretación, solicite un intérprete y permanezca en la línea mientras lo comunicamos.