A sediment analysis to green light the Port of Grays Harbor’s dredging plans for the Westport Marina shows contamination levels possibly requiring upland disposal.
“The results show that half of the marina has been contaminated to the point where a second analysis needs to be done,” said Marc Horton, Port director of environment and engineering services.
“Some upland disposal is anticipated,” he said at the Dec. 16 Port Commission meeting.
A second analysis from the contaminated half will need to be completed before dredging can begin, but the actual scope of pollution could be higher than officials expect.
“You’re going to be surprised by how much is going to have to go upland,” Commissioner Caldwell said. “I think you’re underestimating the amount of pollution around the marina — there’s stuff gone over the side of that place for the last 30 years that people should be in jail for.”
The marina has been sectioned off into parcels referred to as “dredge material management units.”
Each parcel will be tested to determine how far the contamination has spread.
Bioassays, or toxicity tests, will be performed on the highly contaminated half to determine if and how much open-water disposal will be allowed.
The second analysis will cost the Port more than $83,000, using funds from the capital budget, but the analysis should save the Port money in the end.
“It’s a strategy to take a closer look at the information and reduce the volumes to the smallest amount as possible because it will be expensive (to dispose upland),” Horton said.
Dredging is expected to begin in the fall and winter of 2016-17.
Commissioners unanimously approved the additional funds.
