Sediment cleanup begins in upper reach of Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site to remove legacy pollution

The Muckleshoot Tribe has been fishing in the Duwamish River for thousands of years. For generations, salmon have sustained our way of life. The cleanup of the Duwamish River is an important step to removing sediment contamination and restoring the river for our culture and future generations.

We are glad to see these important steps towards clean-up of the Duwamish River, where the Suquamish Tribe has treaty fishing rights as guaranteed by the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. We look forward to continued progress in reversing the damage done by years of pollution and destructive land use, and hope to see the full recovery of salmon and other marine species.

The start of Duwamish River sediment cleanup marks a major step in our commitment to take on historic pollution impacting this essential waterway. Restoring the Duwamish will require all of us working together in good-faith partnerships among local, state, and federal governments, private partners, industry, and the people who live and work here. King County’s investment in this project and others on the waterway reflects our vision of a revitalized Duwamish River, supporting a healthy environment and community for generations to come.

EPA is very pleased that the remaining phase of the cleanup of the Lower Duwamish Waterway is finally moving forward. While previous efforts have reduced sitewide PCB levels by half, this work signals the start of a new and critical chapter of cleanup and will further reduce risks to people and the fish and wildlife in the Duwamish River valley.

Since time immemorial, the Duwamish River has been foundational to the people and communities of this region and the natural ecosystem it supports. This cleanup of Seattle’s only river is a much-needed investment in our city and for communities who have been burdened by legacy pollution. We have an obligation and responsibility to care for our natural environment, and through deep partnerships between our residents and businesses, the leadership of the U.S. EPA and Washington State Department of Ecology, and dedication of the City of Seattle, King County, and Boeing, we are building Seattle’s healthy and sustainable future.

As a proud member of the South Park community, Pacific Pile & Marine views the Lower Duwamish cleanup as a transformative project with lasting economic and environmental benefits. By restoring this vital waterway, we are creating jobs, developing local skills, and fostering a sustainable environment for businesses and residents. Guided by our commitment to safety and quality, we are honored to be part of an effort that unites people to build a healthier and more resilient future.

For more than a decade, we’ve embraced our commitment to the health of the Lower Duwamish Waterway and surrounding communities in Seattle by investing in cleanup activities and habitat restoration. Boeing partners with businesses, tribes, the local community and government agencies to find and implement the workable and sustainable solutions to restore and protect human and environmental health.

This work is an important step forward in our efforts to restore the Duwamish River and protect the people and fish that depend on it. Bringing the Duwamish back to health is a long-term endeavor that couldn’t happen without partnerships and collaboration.

The cleanup of the Duwamish River represents a critical step towards healing both the environment and the communities. This is not just about restoring a very important local body of water but is also a commitment to environmental justice for the communities that have borne the brunt of pollution for far too long. Ensuring a full cleanup with the highest healthy standards is essential for the well-being of those historically impacted by cumulative injustices and pollution in the Duwamish River Valley.