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This is the website of the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group (DRCC/TAG).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed the Lower Duwamish River--a five-mile stretch through South Seattle--as a federal Superfund site in 2001. The Superfund List is a roster of the most contaminated sites in the country.

The key issues of the Lower Duwamish include:

• The Duwamish sediments contain a “toxic stew” of industrial carcinogens like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); oil and other hydrocarbons; mercury, lead, and other heavy metals; dioxin; pesticides; arsenic; and even raw sewage.
• PCBs are found in nearly all salmon in the River.
• Many of these pollutants have the potential to pose serious health risks by building up in the tissues of fish and shellfish, and passing through the food chain to eagles, seals, Orcas, and people. People who regularly eat fish and crab from the River are at the greatest risk through their diet. Concentrated toxins also occur in some Duwamish river-bottom mud and people should avoid daily contact.

While thousands of salmon still return to the river and restoration efforts are slowly rebuilding pockets of habitat, historical and ongoing pollution threatens a full recovery. Because of the serious health concerns, EPA is requiring extensive studies of the risks to people, fish and wildlife and will require the major contributors to the pollution to pay for its cleanup.

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Why is the river polluted?

The Lower Duwamish River is one of the most industrialized waterways in Washington State. EPA required extensive studies of the risks to people, fish, and wildlife, and will require the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to pay for the River cleanup.

• The Boeing Company and the public agencies - the Port of Seattle, King County, and the City of Seattle - have already been identified as polluters, or PRPs, who will bear the costs of cleaning up the River.
• Other industries on the River will be identified as PRPs.
• All of us contribute to ongoing pollution in the River through stormwater runoff from city streets carrying oil and grease, fertilizer, and other toxic chemicals. Wastewater from our homes and businesses can also flow into the River through storm drains and overburdened Combined Sewage Overflows (CSOs).

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What is in the river?

There are over 42 chemicals in the Duwamish above State health standards. Chemicals in airport runoff and from WWII bomber construction, heavy metals in ship paint, arsenic in cement material, oil in stormwater from city streets, and raw industrial and domestic waste from overflowing sewage pipes have all played a role in long-lasting toxic pollution of the river.

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Who is responsible?

Boeing, the City of Seattle, King County, and the Port of Seattle have likely contributed to sediment contamination and/or are major landowners in the area. They have agreed to do studies to determine the extent of contamination in Duwamish sediments and what needs to be cleaned up. In addition, other industries on the river are expected to be identified as PRPs.

All of the responsible parties identified will pay for the cleanup. But the question remains - what studies will be done, what kind of cleanup will we get, and how clean is clean? That's where you, and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, come in.

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A Living River is up to YOU!

Everyone who lives, works, or plays on or near the Duwamish River is affected by the existing pollution and planned cleanup. In fact, everyone in the region is affected by the loss of economic or recreational opportunities; pollution of fish, bird, wildlife, and habitat; and the costs of the cleanup. The Duwamish River flows directly into Puget Sound through Elliott Bay; restoring the Sound starts here in the Duwamish. Since your tax dollars will go towards the City, County, and Port’s share of the bill, you want to be sure the money will be spent well.  The people most affected by the pollution are those who live or work close to the River, many of whom are non-English speaking, low-income, or people of color – environmental justice communities.

• South Seattle’s Georgetown and South Park residents have been living side-by-side with polluting industries for decades.
• South Seattle’s overflowing wastewater pipes (CSOs) are among the last to be upgraded and controlled.
• Duwamish River fishers and crabbers may put themselves and their families at risk in order to have food on the table.
• Some workers at riverside industries are exposed on a daily basis.

But a groundswell from the community is making a difference.

Community activists, environmental organizations and small businesses have joined together to form the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, to advocate for a cleanup that truly protects the river, its fish and wildlife, and the health of all its people.

Visiting riverside parks and public access areas, participating in habitat restoration efforts, or kayaking in the river generally do not pose a significant health risk.

DRCC/TAG and many project partners recently completed a Green-Duwamish watershed map, designed to connect people to the diverse environment surrounding the Green-Duwamish River. Click here to order your copy today!

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What is the Vision?

A vision without a plan is just a dream,
A plan without a vision is just drudgery,
But a vision with a plan can change the world.

In 2008-2009, DRCC/TAG created The Duwamish Vision with input from over 500 diverse Duwamish Valley stakeholders, who are residents, workers, and visitors, including Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Spanish-speakers, as well as children, teens, and homeless people.  The Duwamish Vision identifies future hopes, concerns, and ideas for making the River healthier for people and the environment:

• increasing living wage jobs through the impending cleanup work via partnerships with local businesses, schools, governments, and training programs;
• Advance a new ‘green’ economy with living-wage jobs and economic development through the proposed Duwamish cleanup and restoration;
• Remove toxic chemicals from the Duwamish River and ensure a risk-free place to fish and play;
• reducing ongoing sources of pollution through source control, including green infrastructure, natural drainage and 'green streets;'
• Increase equitable housing for a wide spectrum of incomes;
• Create and steward thriving wildlife habitat restoration sites;
• Enhance healthy recreation and eco-tourism opportunities;
• Plan with communities for sustainable, thriving, vibrant riverfront neighborhoods.

The Duwamish Vision is available here: Duwamish Valley Vision Report (6.5MB). Poster-sized Duwamish Valley Vision Maps are also available (29MB Zip file). A smaller file can be viewed here.

Join us, and our partners from neighborhoods, businesses, schools, non-profits, governments, Tribes, and other groups, as we work to implement the ideas in the Duwamish Vision.

Contact DRCC/TAG via email or (206) 954-0218 for additional information about the Vision project, or if you'd like to be involved in the Vision's implementation.

The Duwamish Vision in the news:

On October 23, 2009, DRCC/TAG received a Clearwater Award during the Waterfront Center's annual international conference on waterfront planning, development, and culture. The non profit Waterfront Center hosts the annual "Excellence on the Waterfront" awards. The Clearwater Award is named for the citizen's group working to clean up the Hudson River in New York State, spearheaded by songwriter Pete Seeger. Cari Simson, Program Manager for DRCC/TAG, accepted the award on behalf of the hundreds of citizens who worked on the project. Read the full press release here.

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