Center Advocates for Innovative Technologies in Clean-up

In 2006, despite wide public opposition, the EPA approved an in-water disposal facility called a confined disposal facility (CDF) for receipt of contaminated sediments from the Willamette River superfund site. Under the approved plan, sediments contaminated with mercury, DDT, dioxins, lead, coal tar, pesticides, and PCB’s would be dredged and dumped in an abandoned slip at the Port. An earthen berm would contain the sediments and the Port would be charged with monitoring the hazardous waste landfill. The Port would also recoup at least $10 million in dumping fees collected from other polluters being held responsible for the clean up. The first of its kind in a river environment, the community fears that the site will be unstable during possible flooding and earthquake events. Leaching of toxic chemicals from the site was also a major public concern. An independent engineering firm's report, which was commissioned by the Center, substantiated the community's concerns about the project.

The Center is working to advocate for clean-up solutions that place public and environmental health as a top priority. To this end, we hosted a Healthy Communities, Clean River conference to highlight innovative technologies including washing and thermal methods for treating contaminated sediments that would leave the sediments clean and safe for other beneficial uses. These new methods are safer alternatives to capping, landfilling or placing sediments into a CDF because the toxic chemicals are destroyed, leaving clean sediments that can be used for landscaping, roads, sidewalks, bricks, and other beneficial uses. The Environmental Protection Agency has just completed successful pilot projects with two alternative technology companies on the Passaic River in New Jersey and is ready to recommend these options for potential remediation of that river. The Center is now working closely with these innovative firms to explore the option of building a sediment treatment facility for the Northwest Region.

OCEH's Pursuit of Port of Portland's Concealed Public Documents Continues

Demanding transparency about the relationship of the polluters involved in the Superfund, the Center filed public record requests with the Port of Portland. The Port declined, citing an illusory attorney-client privilege and other reasons. The District Attorney has ruled that the documents must be disclosed. To avoid disclosure, the Port sued the Center and now a court or courts will rule on whether the documents we requested are in fact public record. A decision is expected soon.

Oregon Center for Environmental Health Pursues Port of Portland's Concealed Public Documents.

The Oregon Center for Environmental Health recently entered a legal battle with the Port of Portland in order to obtain records outlining the agreements between the Port and the other thirteen companies responsible for the pollution in the Portland Harbor. These agreements describe how the 14 companies have agreed to accept liability for the contamination of the harbor, how they plan to defend themselves from governmental legal claims, and how they plan to recover some of their costs from other polluting companies among other things. The Port has refused to turn over the documents despite the District Attorney's ruling that the documents are public domain. The issue will now be decided by a judge in municipal court. Click here to read about the Oregonian's attempts to obtain the documents.

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