Budd Inlet Sediments

Facility Site ID: 3097108 Cleanup Site ID: 2245

Comment Period Concluded For Amendment 2 To Agreed Order De 6083 And Public Participation Plan

Ecology held a comment period from June 9 to July 10, 2023 for the Budd Inlets Sediments Site cleanup. Amendment 2 to Agreed Order DE 6083 and a Public Participation Plan were available for public review.

Ecology received comments during this period that will be responded to in a Response to Comments document that is currently being drafted. The Response to Comments document will be shared and posted here when complete. 

A Puget Sound Initiative Site – Working Towards A Healthy Puget Sound

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.

Contamination From Historical Industrial Use

Dioxins/Furans in Budd Inlet. Purple areas are most concentrated, green is least. Image developed by the Port of Olympia.
Dioxins/Furans in Budd Inlet. Purple areas are most concentrated, green is least. Image developed by the Port of Olympia.

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). The image to the left indicates the location and levels of contamination. Note that the color on the map is estimated and may not reflect actual levels.

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. Historical stormwater runoff has also been a likely source of contamination. For more technical information see the Sediment Dioxin Source Study link below. 

Port Of Olympia Study Area Investigation

Study Area Map
Study Area Map

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:

Port Dredging: From October 2013–February 2014, the port performed maintenance dredging 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.

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 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.

Details On Contaminants

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 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.

Squaxin Park Sediment Investigation

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.

Legal 3
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Budd Inlet Sediments Agreed Order DE6083 Amendment 2 6/9/2023 Agreed Order Amendment
Port of Olympia Agreed Order Amendment 2/15/2012 Agreed Order Amendment
Port of Olympia 2008 Agreed Order 12/5/2008 Agreed Order
Map 3
Public Information 15
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Budd Inlet Sediments Site Public Participation Plan 6/8/2023 Public Participation Plan
Fact Sheet for Agreed Order Amendment 2 6/8/2023 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
South Sound Regional Background Fact Sheet 5/1/2018 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Port of Olympia Agreed Order Amendment Responsiveness Summary 2/17/2012 Responsiveness Summary
Port of Olympia Agreed Order Amendment Fact Sheet 1/4/2012 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Port of Olympia Public Participation Plan 12/29/2011 Public Participation Plan
Budd Inlet Sediments Priest Point Sediment Sampling Results Fact Sheet 2/1/2011 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Budd Inlet Sediments Priest Point Sediment Sampling Plan Fact Sheet 10/1/2010 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Port of Olympia Agreed Order Responsiveness Summary 1/23/2009 Responsiveness Summary
Port of Olympia Agreed Order Fact Sheet 10/1/2008 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Budd Inlet Sediments Investigation Final Report Fact Sheet 5/30/2008 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Budd Inlet Sediments Investigation Update Fact Sheet 8/1/2007 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Budd Inlet Sediments Investigation Frequently Asked Questions 8/1/2007 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Budd Inlet Sediments Public Participation Plan 5/1/2007 Public Participation Plan
Budd Inlet Sediments Sampling and Analysis Plan Fact Sheet 4/1/2007 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Technical Reports 43
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Port of Olympia Budd Inlet Sediment Site Pre-Remedial Design Sediment Chemistry Investigation Work Plan, Port of Olympia Budd Inlet Sediment Site 1/10/2024 Remedial Investigation Work Plan
Budd Inlet Sediment Site - REVISED identification and evaluation of Interim Action Memorandum 5/19/2023 Interim Action Documents
Progress Report for Port of Olympia Budd Inlet Study Area Cleanup Evaluation Agreed Order DE6083 12/15/2021 Progress Report
Extension Request Approval for Draft Identification and Evaluation of Interim Action Alternatives Memo 6/21/2018 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Proposed Schedule Modification for Agreed Order No. DE 6083, Budd Inlet Sediments Site 6/12/2018 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
South Puget Sound Regional Background Report 5/1/2018 Human Health and/or Eco Risk Assessment
Port Peninsula Study Area Investigation Report 8/1/2016 Remedial Investigation Report
Budd Inlet Sediment Dioxin Source Study 3/14/2016 Site Specific Technical Document - other
2014 Data Report Port of Olympia Source Control Investigation 4/6/2014 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Budd Inlet Catch Basin Sampling - Addendum 1 to the Sampling and Analysis Plan and Quality Assurance Project Plan: Agreed Order No. DE 6083 6/10/2013 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Port of Olympia Budd Inlet Sediment SAP/QAPP 3/7/2013 Sampling and Analysis Plan
Existing Information Summary and Data Gaps Memorandum-Appendix E 10/1/2012 Remedial Investigation Report
Existing Information Summary and Data Gaps Memorandum-Appendix D 10/1/2012 Remedial Investigation Report
Existing Information Summary and Data Gaps Memorandum-Appendix C 10/1/2012 Remedial Investigation Report
Existing Information Summary and Data Gaps Memorandum-Appendix B 10/1/2012 Remedial Investigation Report
Existing Information Summary and Data Gaps Memorandum-Appendix A 10/1/2012 Remedial Investigation Report
Existing Information Summary and Data Gaps Memorandum-Figures 10/1/2012 Remedial Investigation Report
Investigation Work PlanBudd Inlet Sediment Site 10/1/2012 Remedial Investigation Work Plan
Existing Information Summaryand Data Gaps Memorandum Budd Inlet 10/1/2012 Site Specific Technical Document - other
DATA REPORT PORT OF OLYMPIA SOURCE CONTROL INVESTIGATIONS 6/1/2012 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Port of Olympia Post-Dredge 21-Month Monitoring Report 2/24/2011 Interim Action Documents
Budd Inlet Sediments Priest Point Park Field Sampling Report 11/1/2010 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Port of Olympia Post-Dredge 15-Month Monitoring Report 10/28/2010 Interim Action Documents
Budd Inlet Sediments Priest Point Park Field Sampling Plan 9/1/2010 Sampling and Analysis Plan
Port of Olympia Post-Dredge 9-Month Monitoring Report 3/8/2010 Interim Action Documents
Port of Olympia Post-Dredge 3-Month Monitoring Report 9/15/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix G Data 2 Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix G Data 1 Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix B Contractor Dailies Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix J SPI Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix I Bathymetry Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix H Validation Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix F Water Quality Reports Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix E Water Quality Sed Plans Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix D Sand Cover Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix C Port Dailies Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Appendix A Photos Completion Report Berths 2 and 3 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Port of Olympia Interim Action Dredge Completion Report 6/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Port of Olympia Water Quality Monitoring and Sediment Sampling Plan 1/1/2009 Interim Action Documents
Port of Olympia Interim Action Dredging And Disposal Plan 10/28/2008 Interim Action Documents
Budd Inlet Sediments Sediment Characterization Study 3/12/2008 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Budd Inlet Sediments Summary of Existing Information and Identification of Data Gaps 4/1/2007 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Budd Inlet Sediments Sampling and Analysis Plan 3/1/2007 Sampling and Analysis 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

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

Contaminants 3

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Metals - Metals - Other S
Halogenated Organics - Dioxins/Furans 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.