This project originally began in order to determine if there were any contamination issues on site. When the Pierce County Conservation Futures program approved purchase of the Ram International property, they intended to transfer it to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). However, DNR had some concerns about contamination in the sediment due to the fact that it is located between Superfund sites. PCRS and its volunteers worked with UPS students to put together a project in order to accomplish the study. GeoEngineers and the City of Tacoma donated certain services to the project as well.

 

Methodology included digging to three different elevations at 30 test sites. Samples from all three elevations at all 30 sites were collected and analyzed. Results showed the presence of arsenic, lead, copper, and zinc at levels warranting clean-up as a Department of Ecology requirement. Currently, Pierce County and DNR are entering into long-term agreements involving hiring consultants to do further analysis and develop a clean-up plan. This project is in conjunction with a woody debris clean-up project in the eelgrass bed areas.

 

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