Toxic Chemicals Program

THE PROBLEM: Toxic Wastes Contaminate River Bottoms

Decades of toxic wastes that have been dumped onto lands that contaminate surface and ground waters, dumped directly into streams, and runoff from land uses such as pesticide applications have contaminated sediments. Unlike some kinds of pollution that simply wash away, toxic chemicals often attach themselves to small particles of soil that accumulate at the bottoms of rivers. These contaminated sediments move downstream, accumulating in areas where beaches form. They move more quickly when storms and waves from ships, dredging, and construction work flush them out. On the river bottom, the contaminated sediments are eaten by bottom-dwelling fish such as carp and sturgeon. They are also consumed by small river-bottom insects that are food for fish which, in turn, are caught by people, birds, and animals such as mink, otter, and seals. More...

THE SOLUTION:

A combination of the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts requires the clean-up of all Oregon's contaminated rivers, streams, and lakes where toxic chemicals cause harm to threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, as well as human health. The federal Superfund program can be used in cases where substantial amounts of toxic chemicals have been abandoned, such as the Portland Harbor and McCormick & Baxter wood treatment facility. Water quality standards developed by states pursuant to the Clean Water Act could protect human health and sensitive species by reducing the amount of toxic pollutants that are allowed into the environment. Unfortunately, all of these federal requirements have been ignored in the Pacific Northwest even though increasing information demonstrates the negative effects of these toxic chemicals. More...

NWEA's ACTION:

Northwest Environmental Advocates has worked to prevent the discharge of toxic chemicals, to evaluate the levels and effects of toxic contamination present in the region's environment, and to ensure clean-up of unsafe levels of toxics. NWEA sued EPA and Oregon DEQ after the agencies failed to institute a Clean Water Act requirement to clean up pollution using Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) where pollution levels violate water quality standards. NWEA sought Superfund designation of the Portland Harbor in lieu of a state run program, to ensure that clean-up of the Lower Willamette River takes place and is sufficient to protect public health and the environment. NWEA obtained and co-chaired a $2.4 million Bi-State program to investigate toxic contamination and other pollution in the Lower Columbia River. NWEA is also involved with the establishment of new water quality standards to protect human health and the environment. More...

NWEA's Comments on DEQ's Proposed Portland Harbor Clean-Up Plan, May 19, 1999

NWEA's Comments to City of Portland on Screening Level Risk Assessment Report for the Columbia Slough Sediment Project, March 22, 1995

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