EPA Proposes Adding Shipyard to National Priorities List

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Astoria Marine Construction Co. (AMCC) site, located in Astoria, Ore., to the National Priorities List, the agency’s list of the most contaminated sites in the nation. The site occupies approximately eight acres of low-lying land adjacent to tidal flats. If listed as proposed, the site will be cleaned up under the agency’s Superfund cleanup program.

Sediments in the Lewis and Clark River and Jeffers Slough have been contaminated along with soil and groundwater at the AMCC site by decades of shipyard activities. Site contaminants include petroleum, heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and organotins.

If the site is added to the National Priorities List, EPA will work with tribes and local, state and federal government agencies to clean up the AMCC site. Cleanup would also support the Columbia River Toxics Reduction Action Plan.

The AMCC site is a marine shipyard that has been active since 1924. The shipyard constructed wooden boats and ships, except for brief periods during World War II and the Korean War when the company constructed military vessels including minesweepers and tugs. Currently, AMCC conducts manufacturing and repair on small marine vessels.

A final decision regarding inclusion of the site on the National Priorities List will occur after consideration of public comments, which will be accepted for 60 days.

The Lewis and Clark River and the Columbia River have been designated as critical habitat and migratory pathways for endangered or threatened fish and are important to sport and commercial fishing.

Source: U.S. EPA