Western Port Angeles Harbor Sediment Cleanup

Client: Western Port Angeles Harbor Group

Project coordination and implementation of a multiparty priority sediment cleanup and restoration Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).

Overview of Floyd|Snider Contributions

Lead consultant of a five-party potentially liable party (PLP) group

Strategic regulatory and Tribal negotiations

Advance planning around strategic infrastructure issues given site’s remote location, including use of sediment transload facility

Collaborative approach with agency, the Western Port Angeles Harbor Group (WPAH Group), and teaming partners

Project Summary

Port Angeles Harbor (Harbor) is a large natural harbor located on the northern coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles, Washington.

Over the past 130 years, operations within or adjacent to the Harbor resulting in sediment contamination included sawmills, plywood manufacturing, pulp and paper production, other wood processing-related operations, commercial fishing and fish packing, bulk fuel facilities, boat building, marinas, and marine shipping and transport. The Harbor has been identified as a priority sediment cleanup and restoration project by Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) as part of the Puget Sound Initiative. The five-party PLP group (WPAH Group) and Ecology entered into an Agreed Order to conduct an RI/FS in 2013. Members of the WPAH Group include Port of Port Angeles; Georgia-Pacific LLC; Nippon Paper Industries USA Co., Ltd.; City of Port Angeles; and Merrill & Ring. The final RI/FS was approved in November 2020. The public comment period for the draft Cleanup Action Plan and draft Consent Decree ended on February 18, 2025, with the execution of the Consent Decree expected in fall 2025.

Port Angeles Harbor (Harbor) is a large natural harbor located on the northern coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles, Washington. Over the past 130 years, operations within or adjacent to the Harbor resulting in sediment contamination included sawmills, plywood manufacturing, pulp and paper production, other wood processing-related operations, commercial fishing and fish packing, bulk fuel facilities, boat building, marinas, and marine shipping and transport. The Harbor has been identified as a priority sediment cleanup and restoration project by Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) as part of the Puget Sound Initiative. The five-party PLP group (WPAH Group) and Ecology entered into an Agreed Order to conduct an RI/FS in 2013. Members of the WPAH Group include Port of Port Angeles; Georgia-Pacific LLC; Nippon Paper Industries USA Co., Ltd.; City of Port Angeles; and Merrill & Ring. The final RI/FS was approved in November 2020. The public comment period for the draft Cleanup Action Plan and draft Consent Decree ended on February 18, 2025, with the execution of the Consent Decree expected in fall 2025.

Our Approach

In 2013, Floyd|Snider was selected as the lead common consultant and project coordinator for the WPAH Group.

As the WPAH Group representative, Floyd|Snider worked collaboratively with Ecology and stakeholders to develop technical approaches for the project and the RI/FS over a period of several years, including the development and implementation of an RI Work Plan, data interpretation and analyses, negotiation of remedial alternatives, and preparation of the final RI/FS and draft Cleanup Action Plan. During that time, Floyd|Snider regularly facilitated WPAH Group meetings as well as Ecology meetings that included Group representatives. Successfully managing these meetings required soliciting input from 25 to 35 representatives, as well as managing development of project strategy and technical deliverables. This process required consensus-based decision-making, incorporating a broad range of input. The project has now successfully completed the RI/FS phase and is moving forward to Remedial Design for the selected remedy.

Project Milestones

2020. Final RI/FS approved by Ecology
2025. Public comment for draft Cleanup Action Plan and Consent Decree complete

In 2013, Floyd|Snider was selected as the lead common consultant and project coordinator for the WPAH Group. As the WPAH Group representative, Floyd|Snider worked collaboratively with Ecology and stakeholders to develop technical approaches for the project and the RI/FS over a period of several years, including the development and implementation of an RI Work Plan, data interpretation and analyses, negotiation of remedial alternatives, and preparation of the final RI/FS and draft Cleanup Action Plan. During that time, Floyd|Snider regularly facilitated WPAH Group meetings as well as Ecology meetings that included Group representatives. Successfully managing these meetings required soliciting input from 25 to 35 representatives, as well as managing development of project strategy and technical deliverables. This process required consensus-based decision-making, incorporating a broad range of input. The project has now successfully completed the RI/FS phase and is moving forward to Remedial Design for the selected remedy.

Project Milestones

2020. Final RI/FS approved by Ecology
2025. Public comment for draft Cleanup Action Plan and Consent Decree complete

Project Team

Floyd|Snider

Anchor QEA

Integral Consulting

Exponent

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