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Site ID: 1641 |
Site
Name: U.S. Moorings |
CERCLIS No: 9960010701 |
Address: |
8010 NW St. Helens Rd. Portland 97210 |
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County: Multnomah |
Region: Northwest |
Other location information: |
Site is located 6.2 miles upstream from the confluence of Willamette and Columbia Rivers, on the west bank of the Willamette. Part of the site extends into T1N R1W, Section 11. |
Investigation Status: |
Listed on CRL or Inventory |
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Brownfield Site: No |
NPL Site: No |
Orphan Site: No |
Study Area: No |
Property: |
Twnshp/Range/Sect: 1N , 1W , 12 |
Tax
Lots: |
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Latitude: 45.5808 deg. | Longitude: -122.7632 deg. |
Site
Size: 13.4 acres |
Other Site Names: |
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COE Civil Portland Moorings |
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U.S. Government Moorings |
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U.S. Moorings |
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Portland Harbor Sediment Study |
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US Army COE - Portland Moorings |
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General Site Description: |
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Site History: |
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Contamination Information: |
The site has been in operation since 1904, serving as a maintenance port for Corps of Engineers vessels. Contamination of Willamette River sediments has occurred partly as a result of site activities such as vessel maintenance (sandblasting, scaling, repair and painting, for example), and spills from vessels in dock and from refueling operations. Some of the sediment contamination may have resulted from migration from upstream sites such as Elf-Atochem, Rhone-Poulenc, Gould, and Gasco. In any case, Willamette River sediment sampling between 1988 and 1994 has shown elevated levels of PAHs, pesticides, and metals, including tributyl tin. Sediment contamination at the upstream end of the site was significant enough that the Corps abandoned plans to dredge this area. |
Manner and Time of Release: |
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Hazardous Substances/Waste Types: |
Petroleum hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs, and metals, including tributyl tin. |
Pathways: |
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Environmental/Health Threats: |
Sediment contamination in the Willamette River adjacent to the site is likely to be toxic to benthic organisms, bottom-feeding fish, and possibly anadromous fish that migrate through this area. Because DEQ has no data on contaminants dissolved or suspended in surface water, it is not clear how significant an effect this sediment contamination may have on migrating fish. |
Status of Investigative or Remedial Action: |
(GMW 7/28/97) Notwithstanding the likely contribution from the upstream GASCO site to sediment contamination at Portland Moorings, there are on-site sources of contamination at Portland Moorings, including tributyl tin, other metals, PAHs, and petroleum hydrocarbons. Near-shore sediment contamination could pose risks to ecological receptors in the river, as well as to humans via direct contact and, potentially, ingestion of contaminated fish. In addition, since there are at least five documented drinking water wells within 1 mile of the site, groundwater is a potential pathway of concern. Further action needs include: 1) research on historical activities and chemical handling, storage and disposal areas on-site; 2) further sampling of sediments and surface water adjacent to the site, for TBT and metals; 3) shallow groundwater sampling beneath Areas One and Two (refer to map in strategy recommendation); and 4) soil sampling for PCBs in areas where the Corps handled electrical or hydraulic equipment over the years. Further state action is a medium priority. (10/29/97 JMW/SAP) On 10/22/97 and 10/23/97, minor releases to surface waters were reported at the US ACOE site. The most likely cause for the releases was determined to be a recent DEQ sediment sampling survey and the prop wash from an ACOE vessel that pulled in. DEQ's Spill Response Program will not be requesting a report. (4/18/00 ACV/VCP) Formal agreement negotiations; RI required. Part of Portland Harbor investigation. (12/28/00 ACV/VCP) Formal Agreement negotiations on hold pending EPA decision on federal sites. (5/01 ACV/VCP) Site referred to EPA for RI. (June 09) EPA investigations ongoing |
Data Sources: |
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