Reduce stormwater threats and accelerate clean-up of toxics that are harmful to orcas.

Description

Action 1

Provide funding to accelerate the clean-up and removal of contaminants that have lingered in Puget Sound (legacy contaminants) and that will have the greatest benefit to Southern Residents.

Action 2

Identify and prioritize toxic hotspots in the stormwater entering Puget Sound for corrections so they can meet current standards.

Action 3

Increase funding for the Stormwater Financial Assistance Program to incentivize immediate and accelerated retrofits and other source control actions.

Action 4

Prioritize and accelerate actions to reduce contaminants in sediment and nearshore areas used by Chinook salmon and the fish they eat.

Implementation Details

Immediately

The Washington Departments of Ecology and Natural Resources immediately should prioritize and accelerate sediment remediation and nearshore restoration and clean-up of hotspots in forage fish and juvenile Chinook rearing habitat in sensitive areas where toxics are known to impact prey survival.
All prioritized cleanup actions should ensure “upstream” source control also is addressed.
During the prioritization process, Ecology should coordinate with other agencies such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Puget Sound Partnership, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Previously identified hotspots include the Duwamish Estuary and River, Commencement Bay, Hanford Reach, Sinclair and Dyes Inlets, and Lake Union.

2019

The Legislature should fund the Department of Ecology in 2019 for a program that provides incentives to accelerate removal of primary legacy sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances present in the built environment in central Puget Sound. In Phase 1, Ecology should develop the program to include: (1) prioritizing those legacy chemicals likely to have greatest impact on Southern Residents, (2) coordinating with ongoing programs, (3) gathering stakeholder input, and (4) undertaking targeted communications and outreach. In Phase 2, the incentive program would be implemented.
Ecology should reduce stormwater threats in existing hotspots as soon as possible. In 2018-19, Ecology, in consultation with regional experts, should identify toxic stormwater hotspots and prioritize them for source control, retrofits, and/or redevelopment projects to meet today’s standards.
Ecology should seek new funding in the 2019 Legislature through the Stormwater Financial Assistance Program to provide incentives for stormwater retrofits and source control to achieve goals faster. Programs such as the Stormwater Financial Assistance Program, retrofits through the Washington Department of Transportation, and federal funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund are in place to support this effort but they need substantially increased funding to increase the pace and provide the necessary pollutant removal.

Recent Progress

A big focus in Washington State is reducing stormwater runoff impacts to water ways. Many contaminants enter waterways when rain runs off pavement and enters rivers that flow to the ocean or Puget Sound. It is now known that tire dust contains a chemical (6PPD) that is toxic to coho salmon. In 2024, the Department of Ecology added requirements to the municipal stormwater permit to address 6PPD, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in building materials, and stormwater retrofits for smaller stormwater permittees.
In 2023, the Washington Department of Ecology received $644 million to clean up Superfund sites and support grant programs that would clean up polluted sites and contaminants and reduce toxics getting into waterways from stormwater runoff. The State is funding research and addressing of this issue. Additional funding will be needed to improve the way stormwater filters out toxic chemicals, especially on roads.
In 2022, the Washington State Legislature authorized $500 million during the next 16 years for the Washington Department of Transportation stormwater retrofits as part of the Move Ahead Washington funding package to better treat stormwater from state-owned roads and infrastructure, with an emphasis on green infrastructure retrofits. The department developed a retrofit prioritization that takes into account salmon habitat, local input, and impacts to treaty resources.
Between 2021 and 2023, the Department of Natural Resources received $12.6 million to remove derelict structures that degrade water quality and reduce plants in waters used by salmon. When a vessel sinks or breaks up, fuel, oil, and other hazardous substances can spill into the water. Abandoned vessels endanger salmon habitat and pose navigation risks.
In 2020, Washington State settled a lawsuit with Monsanto for $95 million for harm to state resources caused by PCB contamination.
The Department of Transportation contributed more than $1 million to creosote removal in Bainbridge and Eagle Harbor. Creosote is a wood preservative that poses serious health risks to humans, wildlife, and natural habitats. The department also will provide $7.5 million to upgrade stormwater systems in Puget Sound.

More details may be found in the progress reports in the resources library.