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Friends Notes

Keep up to date with news from Friends of Skagit Beaches

Anacortes Baywide Cleanup Update

By Betty Carteret

Washington Department of Ecology in partnership with the Port of Anacortes, City of Anacortes, Samish Indian Nation, Swinomish and other local Tribes, and private landowners is making great progress in cleaning up contaminated shoreline areas in Anacortes along Fidalgo Bay, Padilla Bay, and Guemes Channel.  This cleanup work is bringing new life and energizing the economy of the Anacortes waterfront removing a legacy of toxic contamination from old mills, marinas, and waste sites.

The Anacortes Baywide Cleanup is the project that brings together cleanup work at the following sites under the State’s Puget Sound Initiative.  Projects are funded by a combination of sources including the Puget Sound Initiative, Model Toxics Control Act tax revenue, liable parties (corporations, businesses, governmental agencies, individual landowners), and grants.  Below is a summary of the status of cleanup work at these site and some links to other articles about the work.

Cap Sante Marine (11th & R, Port of Anacortes)

o   completed 2008; revisit monitoring in progress

Dakota Creek (Guemes Channel, Port of Anacortes)

o    in-water interim cleanup completed 2008

o   RI/FS[1] for upland cleanup in progress; cleanup slated for 2017/2018

Former Scott Paper Mill (Seafarers’ Park, Port of Anacortes, Kimberly Clark)

o   cleanup completed 2008; monitoring site thru 2020

MJB Properties – North Dock (part of Scott Paper Mill site)

o   Interim cleanup 2008– owner requests NFA[2]

MJB Properties – Hydrofill (T Avenue at 28th)

o   interim cleanup at boat launch during construction 2013; requests NFA

Custom Plywood Mill Site (34th & V, private landowner)

o    upland cleanup completed 2011; major in-water cleanup completed 2013

o   monitoring thru 2022; view video here

Former Shell Tank Farm (14th / 13th & Q, Shell Oil)

o   cleanup completed 2014; monitoring in progress

Port Log Yard (Guemes Channel – old Anacortes Box & Lumber Mill site, Port of Anacortes)

o   RI/FS in progress; cleanup slated for 2017/2018

Wyman’s Marina (Guemes Channel – Robinson ’s Cove at U Street, Port of Anacortes)

o   Cleanup completed by Port of Anacortes 2014

o   NFA de-listing review completed 2015

March Point Landfill (aka Whitmarsh Landfill, Skagit County, Texaco, private landowner)

o   RI/FS completed to be released for public comment spring 2016

Quiet Cove (Guemes Channel at Curtis Wharf, Port of Anacortes)

o   Agreed Order in progress, expected soon

o   Remedial Investigation planned for 2016/2017

For more information contact:  Arianne Fernandez, WA Ecology at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[1] Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study determines how much and where contamination is located along with evaluating cleanup alternatives.
[2] NFA – request for No Further Action which may include removal from Ecology’s Hazardous Sites list.

Fidalgo Shoreline Academy - A Huge Success!

Fidalgo Shoreline Academy - A Huge Success!
The 2014 Fidalgo Shoreline Academy was a big success on February 5th with 90 attendees, up 20 from last year!  We hope those of you who attended enjoyed the day and were inspired by the many educational presentations and walks.  Our keynote speaker, Dr. Deborah Kelley wowed the audience with an amazing presentation on deep sea volcanoes and vents with amazing photos and videos.  She even brought some samples of volcanic rock from the ocean floor for us to see and feel. 

Sorry you missed it or can't wait to learn more? You can learn more about the UW Interactive Oceans program that she is involved with and you can learn more about her research with Dr. John Delaney, our keynote speaker in 2012, on their research vessel the "Thomas Thompson" at the University of Washington's Interactive Oceans website.  We're hoping to line up a visit for Friends members and volunteers to their ship when it comes to port.  You can view the  video here.  http://uwtv.org/watch/PIUKej4_XMU/.

FOSB 2014 Tide Calendars Available

FOSB 2014 Tide Calendars Available

Time and tide wait for no man . . . it's time to get your 2014 Friends Tide Calendar

Planning to walk on the beach, to take your boat out on a day cruise, or wondering when the next low tide is to visit your favorite tide pool? Our new Guemes Channel tide calendar is just what you need to check out the upcoming tides and plan your adventures. Help support Friends by purchasing one or more tide calendars for you and your friends. This 12-month calendar includes fun facts and detailed tide charts in a monthly calendar style. Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (360) 293-7003 to order your calendars today while our supply lasts.

Calendars are $3 each or 2 for 5$.

Ecology seeks comments on Anacortes cleanup project

Ecology seeks comments on Anacortes cleanup project

Ecology wants public input on Port's cleanup of the Old Shell Tank Farm.

Posted by Betty Carteret; contact at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Original photo courtesy of Anacortes Museum.

Download Fact sheet at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/gsp/DocViewer.ashx?did=23952.

The Port of Anacortes and WA Dept. of Ecology have developed cleanup planning documents related to the Old Shell Tank Farm located between 13th and 14th Street on Q Avenue (behind McDonald's).  The Port of Anacortes is also inviting comments on their State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Checklist and Determination of Non-Significance for this project.

Click links for the Port's SEPA Checklist and Determination of Non-significance

The following Ecology draft documents are available for your review
(click link to view report):

You can find these documents online or at the Anacortes Public Library (ask Reference Desk for help). 

 

Submit comments by January 8, 2014 to Ecology by mail or email.  Mail them to site manager Nick Acklam, Department of Ecology, Toxics Cleanup Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600 or email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Ecology is planning a presentation on this project in mid-January at Anacortes City Hall that will be announced in news media and posted on the Friends calendar.  If you'd like to receive notice of this and other news, signup to receive our newsletter (right column). 

Contact:
Nicholas Acklam, WA Dept. of Ecology
Site Manager
(360) 407-6913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skagit WSU Beach Watcher Coordintor Position Posted

Skagit WSU Beach Watcher Coordintor Position Posted

Notice from Don McMoran, WSU Skagit County Extension Director.  WSU has posted a position to hire a coordinator for the Skagit County Beach Watcher program.  For more information read the posting below.  Please forward to any individuals you think might be interested in applying for this position. 

Position Description:

Beach Watchers Extension Coordinator, Skagit County Extension in Burlington WA, temp, FT, Admin Professional position.  Responsible for developing curriculum and conducting training on marine, intertidal, nearshore and terrestrial ecology.  Lead and supervise the development, implementation, and annual evaluation of the Beach Watcher marine stewardship education volunteer programs.  Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, or related field and two year progressively responsible administrative/program support work including experience with community volunteer programs or any combination of relevant education and experience.  To apply visit: http://www.wsujobs.com. Screening will begin July 22, 2013.  A position description can be accessed at: http://ext.wsu.edu/careers/ap/. WSU is an EO/AA/ADA educator and employer.

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