Westman Marine Inc

Last Updated:  March 2026

Información en español

Engineering design work continues

2023: fact sheet | postcard | blog

Ecology held a public comment period from May 22 - July 5, 2023 to review a draft cleanup action plan and associated documents for the Westman Marine cleanup site (Site) at the Blaine Harbor. The Port of Bellingham (Port) owns and operates Blaine Harbor. The plan calls for a combination of removing and capping contamination, monitoring conditions, and restricting uses.

Ecology did not receive any public comments on the following reviewable documents, so they are now final and the Port will continue engineering design work:

• Cleanup Action Plan: Ecology's plan that describes the cleanup work to address contamination at the Site.
• Agreed Order: Legal agreement that requires the Port to develop detailed design documents for work described in the cleanup action plan.
• State Environmental Policy Act-Determination of Non-Significance: Ecology determination that the cleanup work is not likely to harm the environment.

• May 22 – July 5, 2023:  45-day public comment period.
• May 24, 2023: On-site walking tour (RE Sources-hosted) and online public meeting (Ecology-hosted).
• Summer 2023:  Cleanup action plan and associated documents finalized after addressing public comments received.
• 2023/2024:  Engineering design and permitting completed for the cleanup action.  

Construction of the cleanup action plan will occur in the future under a separate legal agreement, which will be issued for public review and comment.

Join our email list to receive updates about the Westman Marine 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 Westman Marine 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.

Site Background
The Westman Marine cleanup site is located at 218 McMillan Avenue in the Blaine Harbor industrial area of Blaine, WA. The site consists of a 1-acre upland area (Upland Cleanup Unit) and a 27-acre in-water area (Sediment Cleanup Unit) extending throughout Blaine Harbor. 

Blaine Harbor was originally created in the late 1930s by dredging the tide flats and using the dredged material to create an upland area. The harbor’s upland areas were expanded in the 1940s, 1950s, and again in 2001.

Since about 1949 the Port has leased the property to several different companies for marine operations. Portions of the property were contaminated by past boatyard activities, including maintenance and repair.

Contamination
Environmental investigations found contamination in soil and sediment above WA State cleanup levels established to protect human health and the environment: 

• Soil: Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals
• Sediment: cPAHs, PCBs, metals, and tributyltin (TBT)

Cleanup Action Plan

Upland area cleanup actions:

• Remove the top 2 feet of contaminated soil and replace it with a cap (or cover) such as clean soil, asphalt, or concrete
• Remove upland marine side rails, sheds, and foundations to access contaminated soil

The plan also incorporates an early partial cleanup (interim action) from 2014 when the Port removed and disposed of approximately 420 tons of contaminated soil. See a map of the Interim Action location.

In-water area cleanup actions:

• Install a new sheet pile bulkhead (retaining wall) to support sediment dredging along the shoreline and prevent erosion of contaminated soil into the marine areas
• Temporarily remove marine infrastructure to provide access for sediment dredging
• Dredge and dispose of contaminated sediment
• Perform compliance monitoring to ensure the cleanup continues to meet standards over time

For both the upland and in-water areas, Ecology will require site use controls that restrict certain activities as well as a long-term operation and maintenance plan.

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.

Español
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.