For release: June 7, 2012

Contacts:
Marcia Danab, Communications and Outreach, Portland, 503-229-6488
Chuck Harman, Cleanup Program, Portland, 503-229-5125

            The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will hold an information meeting 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 19th to answer questions and update the local community about future environmental investigations at the Astoria Marine Construction Company facility. The meeting will be in the County Council Chambers at the Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria.

DEQ is completing a consent order with Astoria Marine to guide site investigation to fully assess the extent of contamination from historic ship building, maintenance and repair activities and to develop a plan to clean up the site to protective standards.

EPA was working towards placing the site on the National Priorities List for Superfund cleanup, but is now considering deferral to the State of Oregon. Under a deferral agreement with EPA, DEQ would oversee cleanup at the site.

            DEQ seeks comments and input on a draft community involvement plan that will outline the best ways to keep interested community members informed about the investigation and cleanup project to address soil and groundwater contamination at the site.

            Find the draft community involvement plan and other Astoria Marine site information at http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/cu/nwr/astoriamarine.htm.

            At the meeting, DEQ will record comments on the community involvement plan. People who are unable to attend the meeting can send comments to DEQ Cleanup Project Manager Chuck Harman, DEQ NW Region, 2020 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97210 or harman.charles@deq.state.or.us. Direct questions to Harman at 503-229-5125.

            The Astoria Marine Construction Company site is located in Jeffers Garden along the east bank of the Lewis and Clark River. Since 1926, the facility has been involved in ship building, repair and maintenance, and was responsible for building mine sweepers during World War II.

            These activities resulted in releases of contaminants into site soils, groundwater and Lewis and Clark River sediments. Contaminants include petroleum, heavy metals and chemical agents added to paint to prevent encrustation by aquatic organisms such as algae or barnacles.