Site History: Hazardous substances were released from a
wood-treatment facility beginning early in the 20th century, and also from a
shipyard.
Location: Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Trustees:
Case status: A settlement was reached with Pacific Sound
Resources/Wyckoff which provided funds to the Trustees to restore injured
natural resources in Eagle Harbor. A restoration plan for Eagle harbor
that identifies the type of restoration actions the Trustees intend to take
using these settlement funds has been released by the Trustees. Planning is
currently underway on the individual projects that will be implemented under
this plan. Additionally, the Trustees are currently evaluating the potential
for injuries to natural resources from other releases of hazardous substances
in Eagle Harbor.
Overview: Approximately 500 acres of
Eagle Harbor were contaminated by releases of hazardous substances from the former Wyckoff Company wood treatment facility and from a shipyard that is now operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation/Washington State Ferries. Contaminants released include polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mercury, and heavy metals. NOAA studies showed that there were adverse effects to English Sole, and it is likely that other resources were injured as well. In 1985, the Bremerton-Kitsap County Health District (BKCHD) issued a health advisory against eating shellfish from Eagle Harbor.
The Wyckoff facility and Eagle Harbor was proposed as a Superfund site in 1985
and was listed on the National Priority List (NPL) in 1987. The Wyckoff/Eagle
Harbor Superfund site is divided into three Operable Units (OUs): 1) East
Harbor OU-1, 2) Wyckoff facility OU-2, and 3) West Harbor OU-3. Remedial
actions have been completed and the remedy effectiveness is currently being
monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).