Site History: Discharges and releases of oil and numerous
hazardous substances from multiple sources have occurred since the early 1900s.
Location: The Portland Harbor Superfund site is located along
the Willamette River near Portland, Oregon between river mile 2 and river mile
11. The segment of the river between river mile 3 and river mile 10 is the
primary depositional area of the Willamette River system, and contains the
highly-industrialized area known as Portland Harbor. This area serves a
commercial shipping industry and contains a multitude of facilities and both
private and municipal wastewater outfalls. Numerous industrial operations have
been identified as sources of contamination to Portland Harbor.
Trustees Council:
Please visit the Trustee Council Website for additional information.
Case status:
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Draft harborwide remedial investigation and feasibility study reports completed.
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Early action cleanups have been initiated or completed at five locations within Portland Harbor (Arkema, Gasco-Siltronic, Port of Portland Terminal 4, Triangle Park, U.S. Moorings). The remedy for the McCormack and Baxter Creosoting Superfund Site, located within the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, has been completed.
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Natural Resources Damage Assessment Preassessment Screen completed and adopted
by the Trustee Council for approval by authorizing officials.
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The Natural Resource Trustee Council finalized an assessment plan for determining injury to natural resources associated with releases of hazardous substances from lower Willamette River facilities. An injury assessment is underway. The final assessment report is scheduled for release in 2013.
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A draft Restoration Plan and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement was released for public review in July 2012. Public comment is being accepted through October 8, 2012. After public input is received, the document will be released in final form in 2013.
Overview: The site includes the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, from downtown Portland to near the Columbia River. Numerous industries, including an oil gasification plant, ship repair facilities, bulk oil storage and transfer facilities, agricultural chemical manufacturing, rail car construction, wood treating facilities, and port facilities operated or continue to operate, along the shore of the river. Beginning in the early 1900s, numerous releases of multiple contaminants occurred. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed the site on the National Priorities List in 2000.
A draft remedial investigation report and draft feasibility study have been completed. Once finalized, EPA, with input from its state, Federal, and tribal partners, will rely on these reports to determine appropriate cleanup levels and actions to address risks to human health and the environment. The Trustee Council and a group of 25 participating parties are relying on information collected for the remedial investigation and feasibility study to conduct a natural resource damage assessment.
