Vigor Shipyards Sediment Cleanup and Habitat Restoration
Client: Vigor Shipyards
Overview of Floyd|Snider Contributions
Project Summary
Vigor Shipyards (formerly Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation; Todd Shipyards) has operated on Harbor Island in Seattle’s Elliott Bay since the early 1900s.
Vigor Shipyards (formerly Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation; Todd Shipyards) has operated on Harbor Island in Seattle’s Elliott Bay since the early 1900s. The shipyard is one of the largest private shipyards in the nation. A total of 32 acres of marine sediments were contaminated from historical shipyard operations and named an operable unit of the Harbor Island Superfund Site. In 2005, following the completion of source control actions, Vigor implemented a comprehensive Remedial Action for sediments, including dredging 200,000 cubic yards for upland disposal and under-pier capping. To settle Natural Resource Damage liabilities, Vigor entered into an agreement with federal agencies and Tribes to demolish shipyard infrastructure and construct over 3 acres of new aquatic habitat, including salt marsh and tideflat areas, to support juvenile salmon health at a key location in the Duwamish River estuary. Habitat construction was completed in 2023, and Vigor will permanently maintain the habitat features.
Our Approach
Floyd|Snider services have included project strategy, environmental characterization, source control, Remedial Design, habitat design, regulatory negotiation, all permitting and agency approvals, construction management, and post-construction monitoring. Floyd|Snider has worked very closely with shipyard management and operational staff to design and implement solutions that improve shipyard infrastructure and minimize impact to shipyard operations.
Work conducted between 2004 and 2006 included demolition of two major pier structures, construction of a new vessel launch facility, stormwater upgrades throughout the shipyard, and sediment cleanup. Habitat restoration work conducted between 2021 and 2023 included demolition, pier reconfiguration, dredging, embankment construction for the habitat, stormwater improvements, earthwork, and planting. The projects were constructed using customized “cost plus incentive fee” contracts that incentivized high quality and cost savings, which Floyd|Snider managed as the owner’s representative.
The habitat restoration is precedent setting as one of the first settlements within the Duwamish River system, located at the mouth of the river, with permanent industrial stewardship. Learn more about the project through the video below.
Project Milestones
2003. Source control complete including new stormwater systems
2006. Superfund sediment remediation complete
2017. Natural Resource Damage settlement negotiated
2023. Habitat restoration complete
Our Approach
Floyd|Snider has served as the project manager and lead environmental and engagement consultant to Vigor since 2000, managing multidisciplinary teams. Floyd|Snider services have included project strategy, environmental characterization, source control, Remedial Design, habitat design, regulatory negotiation, all permitting and agency approvals, construction management, and post-construction monitoring. Floyd|Snider has worked very closely with shipyard management and operational staff to design and implement solutions that improve shipyard infrastructure and minimize impact to shipyard operations.
Work conducted between 2004 and 2006 included demolition of two major pier structures, construction of a new vessel launch facility, stormwater upgrades throughout the shipyard, and sediment cleanup. Habitat restoration work conducted between 2021 and 2023 included demolition, pier reconfiguration, dredging, embankment construction for the habitat, stormwater improvements, earthwork, and planting. The projects were constructed using customized “cost plus incentive fee” contracts that incentivized high quality and cost savings, which Floyd|Snider managed as the owner’s representative.
The habitat restoration is precedent setting as one of the first settlements within the Duwamish River system, located at the mouth of the river, with permanent industrial stewardship. Learn more about the project through the video below.
Project Milestones
2003. Source control complete including new stormwater systems
2006. Superfund sediment remediation complete
2017. Natural Resource Damage settlement negotiated
2023. Habitat restoration complete