SITE DESCRIPTION
Quiet Cove sits along the east end of the Guemes Channel just northwest of Fidalgo/Padilla Bays at 202 O Avenue in Anacortes. The Site began operating as a bulk fuel terminal and storage facility as early as 1909. Former oil tanks and associated structures were removed in the 1970’s. Now, the site’s remaining buildings and pavement are used for general storage.
The Port of Anacortes (Port) purchased the upland area of the Site in July 2013 and performed an environmental investigation the following year. This investigation found several contaminants exceeding accepted cleanup levels under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). Soil samples showed hydrocarbon and heavy metal contamination including:
- Benzene
- Toluene
- Ethylbenzene
- Xylenes
- Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs)
- Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
- Naphthalenes
- Cadmium
Groundwater samples showed TPHs and arsenic.
CURRENT STATUS
The Port completed extensive upland and some in-water investigations. Investigations allowed the Port to propose a draft interim action cleanup in the upland area to remove the source and clean the area within their property boundary to support redevelopment efforts.
In 2015, Ecology and the Potentially Liable Persons (PLPs) – the Port of Anacortes – entered into an Agreed Order (AO.) The Agreed Order required the PLP to provide remedial action at the site where there has been a release or threatened release of hazardous substances.
