FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2006
Contact: Wendy
Steffensen, North Sound Baykeeper, RE Sources
waters@re-sources.org, 733-8307
North Sound Baykeeper
Calls for Protective Cleanup on
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities’ North Sound Baykeeper, Wendy Steffensen, is calling for a full dredge removal of mercury in the Whatcom Waterway and ASB to the Department of Ecology’s cleanup level of 0.59 parts per million. “Mercury is a potent bioaccumulative neurotoxin; it’s extremely important that we remove the bulk of it from our marine sediment, so that it cannot move through the food chain.” Steffensen explained.
Because mercury does not degrade over time like some chemicals, it must be removed to eliminate the potential of re-release by storm events, biologic activity, and human disturbance. To be protective of human health and the environment the mercury should be cleaned up to the state’s own minimum clean up level of 0.59 parts per million, rather than to a lesser standard that is sometimes allowed. It is particularly important to remove the mercury contamination in areas that are vulnerable to erosion, and/or those that are important for habitat restoration, such as at the head of the Whatcom Waterway.
In calling for a full dredge of the ASB, the North Sound Baykeeper, is also taking a stand against landfilling contaminated sediments in the ASB. “Too much aquatic habitat has already been lost.” said Steffensen, “ The ASB area should not be sacrificed to become a permanent disposal site, when it could be reclaimed as aquatic habitat instead.”
RE Sources and the North Sound Baykeeper do not have a position on the proposed marina.
The Baykeeper position was
announced, in advance of the release of the Washington State Department of
Ecology Remedial Investigation /Feasibility Study (RI/FS). The RI/FS is due for
release in mid to late September. It will contain several cleanup options for
the Bay and the ASB (