Port of Vancouver Terminal 5 Sediment Cleanup
Client: Port of Vancouver
Overview of Floyd|Snider Contributions
Project Summary
Terminal 5 is located in Vancouver, Washington, along the Columbia River, within the Alcoa Vancouver MTCA cleanup site.
In 2024 the Port assumed leadership of the necessary cleanup action, currently including the development of the Interim Action Work Plan and Engineering Design Report being completed this year in 2025. Cleanup dredging is planned to occur in the subsequent 2026 to 2027 in-water work window(s) following Ecology approval and engagement with the Yakama Nation.
Terminal 5 is located in Vancouver, Washington, along the Columbia River, within the Alcoa Vancouver MTCA cleanup site. Terminal 5 sediments have not been dredged since completion of the cleanup activities in 2009 by Alcoa. Sediment sampling conducted as part of an effort to bring Berth 17 into the Port’s Maintenance Dredging Program identified remaining polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination within the berth. The results prompted Ecology to request additional data to support their periodic review of the Former Alcoa Site in 2020. Multiple sampling events over the years conducted by Alcoa and the Port identified more contamination throughout the berth.
In 2024 the Port assumed leadership of the necessary cleanup action, currently including the development of the Interim Action Work Plan and Engineering Design Report being completed this year in 2025. Cleanup dredging is planned to occur in the subsequent 2026 to 2027 in-water work window(s) following Ecology approval and engagement with the Yakama Nation.
Our Approach
Floyd|Snider led multiple sampling efforts that identified the existing contamination as well as provided technical review of work plans and data reports prepared by Alcoa as part of the 5-year review process. Currently, Floyd|Snider is leading a Pre-Design Investigation that will inform Remedial Design and refine final dredge extents and volumes. Floyd|Snider will be the lead engineer for the phased Interim Action to occur in 2026 and 2027.
Upon completion of the dredging, post-dredge sampling will be conducted to confirm the sediment cleanup criteria have been met, with the goal of having a final remedy and unencumbered use of the Port facility and substantially reducing human health and ecological risk.
Our Approach
Floyd|Snider is leading the Interim Action cleanup of the sediments under an Agreed Order (AO) with Ecology in order to address the contamination in a timely manner to improve environmental and human health protection as soon as practicable. Floyd|Snider led multiple sampling efforts that identified the existing contamination as well as provided technical review of work plans and data reports prepared by Alcoa as part of the 5-year review process. Currently, Floyd|Snider is leading a Pre-Design Investigation that will inform Remedial Design and refine final dredge extents and volumes. Floyd|Snider will be the lead engineer for the phased Interim Action to occur in 2026 and 2027.
Upon completion of the dredging, post-dredge sampling will be conducted to confirm the sediment cleanup criteria have been met, with the goal of having a final remedy and unencumbered use of the Port facility and substantially reducing human health and ecological risk.
