$48.4 Million for Salmon Restoration Proposed on the Lower Duwamish River in Seattle

February 1, 2021 — On January 28, 2021 The U.S. Department of Justice proposed a $48.4 million settlement to partially fund natural resource restoration in Superfund sites along Seattle’s Lower Duwamish River at the Harbor Island, Lower Duwamish, and Lockheed West hazardous waste sites. 

Pilings in the water, with structures behind.
Some of the thousands of pilings, and other structures proposed to be removed at the Southwest Yard site. Image credit: Floyd | Snider.

Hazardous substances have been released in this industrialized part of the Lower Duwamish River since the early 1900s. This pollution has resulted in injuries to fish, birds, wildlife, and their habitats. It has also impacted outdoor recreational opportunities, including recreational fishing. 

The Draft Restoration Plan, which was released at the same time as the Consent Decree, proposes restoring 3+ acres of estuary habitats, marsh, channels, and intertidal areas. Additionally, almost 6,000 chemically-treated wood pilings and a total of 2.74 acres of overwater structures, like docks and piers, will be removed.

These projects will provide critical habitat for many species, including threatened and endangered salmon. These habitat types are scarce in the Lower Duwamish River and provide important food sources, and rearing, refuge, and spawning areas for fish and wildlife

The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed Consent Decree and Draft Restoration Plan through March 1, 2021. For information on how to submit comments, please view our DARRP Web Story. 

Contact Marla.Steinhoff@noaa.gov for more information. 

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Last updated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 1:44pm PST