Budd Inlet Sediments

Budd Inlet is one of the bays we've prioritized for cleanup for a healthy Puget Sound. You can see information about our work in Budd Inlet, including other sites on the waterfront.

The Budd Inlet Sediment project deals with contamination of sediment—the sand, mud, and silt under the water—throughout the inlet, rather than contamination from one specific source.

Ecology began the Budd Inlet sediment investigation in April 2007 after the Port of Olympia found elevated levels of dioxins in an area scheduled for maintenance dredging.

We found Dioxins and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) above the state cleanup level in some areas of the southern part of the inlet (closest to Olympia). However, studies show that in some areas of the inlet, dioxins are below the cleanup level (see Priest Point investigation section below). See these pdf maps for the location and levels of contamination. Note that the color on the map is estimated and may not reflect actual levels. The presence of carcinogenic PAHs is also uneven which has led to the need for and current planning to collect more data. 

Most likely, the contamination came from historical (1920-80s) industries located on shore. Previously, there were several lumber industries in the area. Historical sawmills, plywood manufacturing, a veneer factory, and other lumber-related facilities often burned salt laden wood. A wood treatment facility used a wood treatment chemical called pentachlorophenol, which was a source of dioxin contamination. An additional source of contamination comes from stormwater runoff. For more technical information see the Sediment Dioxin Source Study link below. 

The port is under a legal agreement (a 2008 agreed order and an amendment to that order) that requires them to investigate contamination, evaluate possible cleanup actions, and develop an interim action plan for cleanup in the study area.

Two reports are available:

• Report on the extent of contamination in the study area, August 2016 (see white boundary on map). 
• Report on where the contamination likely came from, March 2016.

Also, the port is studying the stormwater runoff in both the East and West Bays to determine possible sources of current contamination.

Port Dredging: From October 2013–February 2014, the port performed maintenance dredge for its shipping berths.

2008 Agreed Order: The 2008 agreed order required the port to dredge (remove) contaminated sediments from parts of two shipping berths and evaluate the effectiveness of dredge methods. The dredging reports are in the documents section below.

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 Budd Inlet. 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.

What are dioxins and PAHs? Both are groups of many chemicals that have a similar effect on living things. They are made when we burn coal, gas, garbage, or other organic (carbon-containing) substances. In large amounts and over time, some of the chemicals are carcinogenic (cancer causing), others have possible effects to reproduction or child development.

They do not break down easily in the environment and as a result, are found everywhere. Most people are exposed to very small amounts as they go about their daily lives. The main way people can be exposed to these contaminants in the sediment is by eating fish or shellfish raised in the contaminated area. A second way is by having skin contact with the contaminated mud.

The state Department of Health (DOH) reported that they did not expect dioxins to affect people’s health by accidentally eating, touching, or inhaling sediment during recreation or beach cleanup. However, the DOH did not study PAHs in this study, therefore we do not know the levels in the shore area.

Ecology funded sediment sampling near the shores of Squaxin Park (formally Priest Point Park) in Budd Inlet in the fall of 2010. This study found dioxin levels of 0.091 to 4.8 parts per trillion (ppt), at the park.  These levels are below the regional background level of 19 ppt.

• Squaxin Park (Priest Point Park) Sediment Sampling Results Fact Sheet - March 2011
• DOH Health Consultation for Priest Point Park Beach Sediments - June 2011