Pacific Sound Resources

Overview

Pacific Sound Resources sits on the south shore of Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington. The 83-acre site operated as a wood-treating facility from 1909 to 1994. More than half of the site covers tidal and subtidal lands. EPA placed it on the National Priorities List in May 1994, and cleanup work has been underway since the early 1990s.

Wood-preserving chemicals including creosote, pentachlorophenol, copper, arsenic, and zinc contaminated soil, groundwater, and marine sediment through daily operations, spills, leaks, and waste disposal. EPA identified 35 contaminants of concern, all found in the sediment operable unit. These include heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and a dioxin compound. People and wildlife can be exposed through ingestion or direct contact with contaminated soil, groundwater, or sediment, and by eating contaminated seafood.

EPA divided the site into three operable units. The sediments unit was addressed by a Record of Decision issued in September 1999. Cleanup for that unit included dredging contaminated sediment, placing protective caps over marine sediment, and removing marine pilings. Work on the upland area between 1996 and 1998 included excavating process wastes, constructing a slurry wall and cap, and installing a recovery trench to capture non-aqueous phase liquids. Construction was fully completed by 2005. The Port of Seattle purchased the upland property in 1994 and redeveloped it into a container terminal and Jack Block Park, a public waterfront park. The upland soils and groundwater operable unit is still under active study, with a combined remedial investigation and feasibility study estimated to conclude between November 2027 and January 2028.

Human exposure across the entire site is currently under control, and contaminated groundwater is stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site achieved "Ready for Anticipated Use" status in September 2016. The most recent five-year review, completed in September 2024, rated the remedy as short-term protective. That review identified a minor construction deficiency in the subtidal sediment cap in Elliott Bay. EPA is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to add sandy material to repair the cap, with work expected in 2026 or 2028 using material from the lower Snohomish River. The Port of Seattle continues operation and maintenance, and groundwater and monitoring occurs periodically.

Community members with questions can contact the EPA Remedial Project Manager or the Community Involvement Coordinator. The site will continue to be reviewed every five years until it is removed from the National Priorities List.