The proposed settlement is between the members of the Elliott Bay Trustee Council and a group of 12 entities, including Lynden Inc., for releases within Superfund sites on the river. As part of the settlement, Lynden Inc. and others will partially fund a restoration project previously constructed by Bluefield Holdings Inc., a private restoration bank developer, to restore habitat for juvenile salmon, other fish, migratory birds, and other wildlife.

As presented in a previously released restoration plan, Bluefield Holdings, Inc.’s “Restoration Project One” restored approximately one acre of riparian, marsh, mudflat, and subtidal habitats in the West Waterway of the Lower Duwamish River. These scarce habitat types along the river serve as important food sources, and rearing, refuge, and spawning areas for fish and other wildlife harmed by pollution. In addition, Lynden Inc. and others will provide a lump sum payment of $556,250 to be used toward future restoration that aligns with the trustees' 2013 Restoration Plan. Approximately $31,000 of the funds will reimburse the trustees for a portion of past damage assessment costs.

The consent decree is now available for public review and comment through March 1, 2023.  

For more information about the Lower Duwamish River Natural Resource Damage Assessment, visit the Damage Assessment, Remeditaion, and Restoration Program website.