In the early 1900s, industrialization in Commencement Bay led to the filling of a vast area of tideflats, as well of channelization of the meandering streams and rivers that flowed into the bay. Beginning in the 1920s, the resulting eight channelized waterways received releases of hazardous substances from various industries, including shipbuilding, oil refining, and chemical manufacturing plants.
On June 10, 1999, a rupture in the Olympic Pipeline discharged approximately 236,000 gallons of gasoline into a tributary of Whatcom Creek. Fumes from the gasoline ignited as it moved down Whatcom Creek, through a city park and residential neighborhoods.
Ship Grounding | Kalaeloa Harbor, Hawaii | February 2010
On February 5, 2010, the cargo vessel M/V Vogetrader ran aground near Barber’s Point as it was entering Kalaeloa Harbor. The grounding and associated response activities caused substantial injuries to coral reef habitat, harming more than 100,000 coral colonies.
The bulk carrier M/V Cape Flattery grounded in coral reef habitat off Barbers Point (Kalaeloa), Oahu on February 2, 2005. Actions to free the ship and prevent an oil spill lasted for nine days and caused widespread injury to coral reef habitats and reef biota.
Hazardous Waste Site | Torrance, California | 1940s to 1970s
From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, millions of pounds of DDT and PCBs were discharged into ocean waters off the southern California coast.
Since the early 1900s, numerous facilities have released oil, PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls; a class of chemicals previously used in manufacturing that remain in the environment for many decades, accumulate in living creatures, and pose health hazards to humans, wildlife, and fish., heavy metals, pesticides, and other hazardous substances into Portland Harbor.
On July 2, 2005, the M/V Casitas ran aground in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, in what is now the PapahÄ naumokuÄ kea Marine National Monument. Emergency crews installed temporary patches before towing the Casitas to an EPA-approved site northwest of the atoll on August 4. The vessel was then sunk in approximately 7,200 feet of water.
Hazardous Waste Site | Bainbridge Island, WA | Early 1900s to Present
Hazardous substances were released from the Wyckoff Company wood treatment facility and a shipyard beginning early in the 20th century. Released contaminants included PAHs, mercury, and heavy metals.
Hazardous Waste Site | Tri-Cities, WA | 1940s to Present
The Hanford Nuclear Site is located in eastern Washington State, and encompasses more than 500 square miles of land. For nearly 30 years, The U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Energy produced tons of plutonium for use in the atomic weapon program.
