Around the Sound: Public comment period for Rayonier Mill legal agreement amendment

By Marian Abbett, Site Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program

Ecology is amending the agreed order (legal agreement) for the Rayonier Mill site to include cleanup work during the City of Port Angeles’ combined sewer overflow (CSO) project.

The proposed agreed order amendment and Materials Management Plan describe the interim cleanup action tasks. This includes Rayonier’s and the city’s roles and responsibilities during the part of the CSO project on the mill property.

Why are Rayonier and the city doing this work?

As part of the CSO project, the city is building a new system to reduce sewage overflows to Port Angeles Harbor. About one mile of CSO pipeline trenches will be on the former mill property.

Some soil and groundwater the city finds on the former mill property likely will be contaminated. The CSO project and interim action will reduce exposure to contaminated soil by replacing it with new pipe and clean soil.

What happens next?

Rayonier and the city may begin work during the comment period. Meanwhile, the public can comment on the agreed order amendment and materials management plan through September 5, 2012. We will respond to comments and questions at the end of the comment period. If it is warranted, Ecology may ask Rayonier to make changes to the planned interim action based on comments we receive.

How can I find out more?

We have a fact sheet that describes the comment period documents and interim action tasks. Our website  has links to the comment period documents and more background information.

We are holding an open house on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Olympic Medical Center at 939 Caroline St. in Port Angeles. The open house will be in Linkletter Hall from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., with a presentation starting at 7:00 p.m.

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