I & J Waterway
Facility Site ID:
3145643
Cleanup Site ID:
2012
Current Status
Last Updated: August 2023
Información en español
Legal agreements ready for public review
Ecology invites you to review two legal agreements for the cleanup of the I & J Waterway Site (Site) on the Bellingham waterfront. The agreements address each of the two Sediment Cleanup Units (SCU-1 and SCU-2) that comprise the Site.
The agreements available for review are:
- Consent Decree, SCU-1. This agreement between Ecology, the Port of Bellingham (Port) and Bornstein Seafoods (Bornstein) requires the Port and Bornstein to complete engineering design and construct the cleanup action for SCU-1. It includes an updated version of a cleanup action plan (CAP) finalized by Ecology in 2019.
- Agreed Order, SCU-2. This agreement between Ecology and the Port requires the Port to design the cleanup action for SCU-2. It includes the same updated CAP as the consent decree for SCU-1.
To learn more about Ecology's recent I & J Waterway fieldwork, visit our blog.
General Cleanup Process
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 the MTCA and oversees cleanups. The MTCA site cleanup process is completed in steps (see graphic below) over a variable timeline.
Site Timeline
- August 28 to September 26, 2023: Public comment period.
- Fall 2023: Ecology responds to public comments received.
- Winter 2023: Complete engineering design documents for SCU-1. Begin engineering design for SCU-2.
- Summer 2024: Begin construction of the cleanup action for SCU-1.
- 2026: Begin construction of the cleanup action for SCU-2.
Construction of the cleanup action for the SCU-2 portion of the Site will occur under a future legal agreement which will be issued for public review.
Public Participation
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.
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.
Site Information
Site History
The I & J Waterway cleanup site is about 3.1 acres in Bellingham Bay, between Hilton Avenue and Bellwether Way. Property owners within the Site boundaries are the Port of Bellingham and the state of Washington.
The Site consists of contaminated marine sediments in the waterway and nearby ship-berthing areas.
The contamination is the result of shoreline industrial activities of former owners and port tenants. Portions of the Site were used for lumber mill operations from the early 1900s through 1972. Other industrial operations within the Site boundaries included a rock-crushing plant from 1963 to 1992, frozen food processing from 1946 to 1959, and a seafood processing plant that has been in operation since 1959.
Contamination
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, phenols, and nickel are present in marine sediment. These contaminants are related to historic industrial activities, including lumber mill operations, rock crushing, and food/seafood processing. A building fire also likely contributed to the contamination.
Other contaminants such as dioxins/furans, polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), and mercury were also found at the Site. Dioxins/furans are present throughout Bellingham Bay from many possible sources including former pulp and paper mills and wood treating operations, and on-going burning activities. Mercury is related to past discharges from the Georgia-Pacific Pulp Mill. The source of PCBs is unknown.
The contamination must be addressed under the state’s toxics cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act.
Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot
The I & J Waterway site is one of 12 Bellingham Bay Cleanup sites coordinated through the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot. The Pilot 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.
The I & J Waterway cleanup site is about 3.1 acres in Bellingham Bay, between Hilton Avenue and Bellwether Way. Property owners within the Site boundaries are the Port of Bellingham and the state of Washington.
The Site consists of contaminated marine sediments in the waterway and nearby ship-berthing areas.
The contamination is the result of shoreline industrial activities of former owners and port tenants. Portions of the Site were used for lumber mill operations from the early 1900s through 1972. Other industrial operations within the Site boundaries included a rock-crushing plant from 1963 to 1992, frozen food processing from 1946 to 1959, and a seafood processing plant that has been in operation since 1959.
Contamination
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, phenols, and nickel are present in marine sediment. These contaminants are related to historic industrial activities, including lumber mill operations, rock crushing, and food/seafood processing. A building fire also likely contributed to the contamination.
Other contaminants such as dioxins/furans, polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), and mercury were also found at the Site. Dioxins/furans are present throughout Bellingham Bay from many possible sources including former pulp and paper mills and wood treating operations, and on-going burning activities. Mercury is related to past discharges from the Georgia-Pacific Pulp Mill. The source of PCBs is unknown.
The contamination must be addressed under the state’s toxics cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act.
Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot
The I & J Waterway site is one of 12 Bellingham Bay Cleanup sites coordinated through the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot. The Pilot 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.
Translated Content
En español
El Departamento de Ecología le invita a comentar sobre un reporte ambiental para el sitio que está contaminado I & J Waterway en Bellingham. Si le gustaría recibir este documento en español, por favor llame a 425-240-4353 y espere que un intérprete se una a la llamada o envíe un correo electrónico a preguntas@ecy.wa.gov.
Traducciones de avisos públicos para los sitios de limpieza de la Bahía de Bellingham se preparan bajo solicitud.
El Departamento de Ecología le invita a comentar sobre un reporte ambiental para el sitio que está contaminado I & J Waterway en Bellingham. Si le gustaría recibir este documento en español, por favor llame a 425-240-4353 y espere que un intérprete se una a la llamada o envíe un correo electrónico a preguntas@ecy.wa.gov.
Traducciones de avisos públicos para los sitios de limpieza de la Bahía de Bellingham se preparan bajo solicitud.
Documents 33
Legal 9
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| I & J Waterway, SCU-2 - Draft Agreed Order with Exhibits A-C - July 2023 | 7/19/2023 | Agreed Order |
| I & J Waterway, SCU-1 - Draft Consent Decree with Exhibits A-C - July 2023 | 7/18/2023 | Consent Decree |
| I & J Waterway - Final Agreed Order with Exhibits A-E - April 2019 | 4/29/2019 | Agreed Order |
| I & J Waterway second amendment to agreed order | 4/5/2012 | Agreed Order Amendment |
| I & J Waterway sediment RI/FS work plan addendum - AO second amendment Exhibit B | 3/13/2012 | Agreed Order Amendment |
| I & J Waterway first amendment to agreed order | 11/14/2005 | Agreed Order Amendment |
| I & J Waterway sediment RI/FS work plan - AO first amendment Exhibit A | 7/27/2005 | Agreed Order Amendment |
| I & J Waterway sediments RI/FS work plan - AO second amendment Exhibit A | 7/27/2005 | Agreed Order Amendment |
| I & J Waterway agreed order | 1/18/2005 | Agreed Order |
Public Information 10
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| I & J Waterway - CD and AO Postcard - August 2023 | 8/15/2023 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| I & J Waterway - CD and AO Fact Sheet - August 2023 | 8/15/2023 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| I & J Waterway - Response to Comments - April 2019 | 4/29/2019 | Responsiveness Summary |
| I & J Waterway AO-CAP-SEPA Fact Sheet - February 2019 | 2/14/2019 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| I & J Waterway Public Participation Plan - February 2019 | 2/13/2019 | Public Participation Plan |
| Response to Comments: Draft RI/FS Report - Feb. 2015 | 2/3/2015 | Responsiveness Summary |
| I & J Waterway RI/FS Fact Sheet | 10/30/2014 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| I & J Waterway legal agreement amendment available for public review | 9/1/2005 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| I & J Waterway draft public participation plan | 10/1/2004 | Public Participation Plan |
| I & J Waterway cleanup documents available for public review | 10/1/2004 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
State Environmental Policy Act 2
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| I & J Waterway SEPA DNS and Checklist February 2019 | 2/19/2019 | SEPA Documents |
| Bellingham Bay Comprehensive Strategy - SEPA - Environmental Impact Statement | 10/1/2000 | SEPA Documents |
Technical Reports 12
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| I & J Waterway - Pre-remedial Design Investigation Work Plan - April 2020 | 4/8/2020 | Sampling and Analysis Plan |
| I & J Waterway - Final Cleanup Action Plan (Agreed Order Exhibit B) - April 2019 | 4/29/2019 | Cleanup Action Plan |
| Final RI/FS Report - Appendices B-H | 2/6/2015 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
| Final RI/FS Report - Feb. 2015 | 2/6/2015 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
| Appendices B-H | 10/30/2014 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
| Appendix A-Laboratory Reports-Parts11-15 | 10/30/2014 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
| Draft RI/FS Report - I & J Waterway Site - Oct. 2014 | 9/30/2014 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
| Appendix A-Laboratory Reports-Part 6-10 | 9/29/2014 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
| Appendix A-Laboratory Reports-1-5 | 9/29/2014 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
| I & J Waterway - Supplemental Investigation Memo | 2/6/2013 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
| I & J Waterway preliminary sediment data summary - AO first amendment Ex A implementation | 12/6/2006 | Remedial Investigation Report |
| I & J Waterway sediments RI/FS work plan | 7/27/2005 | Remedial Investigation Work Plan |
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
-
Northwest Regional Office15700 Dayton Ave NShoreline, 98133Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
-
Ecology Bellingham Field Office913 Squalicum Way, Unit 101Bellingham, 98225This location may only have print documents available during open comment periods.
-
Bellingham Public Library210 Central AveBellingham, 98225This location may only have print documents available during open comment periods.
Contaminants 3
| Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Contaminant - Base/Neutral/Acid Organics | S | |||||
| Metals - Metals - Other | C | |||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons | 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.
Public Comment Period August 28, 2023-September 26, 2023
Información en español
I & J Waterway legal agreements ready for public review
Download the 2023 fact sheet or postcard.
We invite you to review two legal agreements for the cleanup of the I & J Waterway Site (Site) on the Bellingham waterfront. The agreements address each of the two Sediment Cleanup Units (SCU-1 and SCU-2) that comprise the Site.
Submit comments | Read comments
On-site walking tour: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
RE Sources will host a shoreline walking tour of the Site to provide project information and answer questions. Ecology and Port staff will also be available for questions. This walking tour is funded by a Public Participation Grant from Ecology.