Site Description
Terminal 25 (T-25) South is on the southeast bank of the East Waterway at 2917 East Marginal Way South in Seattle. The T-25 South Site includes approximately 5 acres of upland area and 5 acres of submerged and intertidal areas. The in-water portion of the site contains a derelict pier structure with creosote pilings. The Port currently leases the portions of the upland T-25 South Site to various tenants who use the area for equipment and material laydown, light industrial activity, and truck parking.
Site History
Terminal 25 South industrial use dates to the original filling of the intertidal lands in the early 1900s, when the Duwamish River was reconfigured to the current channel location. The site was used for cold storage, logging facilities, and as a sawmill during the early 20th century. The sawmill was removed to allow for lumber storage and automobile staging in the early 1960s. The Port acquired the site in the late 1970s. During the 1980s, it was used for cold storage, seafood processing, and shipping operations. Most structures and buildings at the site were demolished in the 1990s.
Contamination Issue
The primary contaminants of concern are PCBs, dioxin and furans, and petroleum hydrocarbons.
Why is the Port Doing this Cleanup?
The Port plans to create a habitat site here but needed to conduct cleanup in conjunction with building habitat.
After the cleanup, the Port will create critical fish and wildlife habitat. This large-scale restoration project supports recovery of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) population by significantly increasing habitat critical to abundance and health of Chinook salmon, the primary food source for the SRKW. The goal is to restore estuarine wetland functions across the site as well as to restore and create riparian habitat and off-channel rearing and refuge habitat for salmonids and other migratory and resident fish and wildlife in the East Waterway. The project will ultimately re-establish approximately 10 acres of riparian, emergent marsh, mudflat, and subtidal habitat.
Status
The sediment, soil, and ground water investigation were completed in the spring of 2024. After submitting an engineering evaluation/cost analysis to the EPA in the fall of 2024, the Port anticipates receiving the EPA’s cleanup approval by 2026.
Contact Information
Joanna Florer | Senior Environmental Program Manager | [email protected]
