FIGHTING TOXIC POLLUTION

Since our inception, Humboldt Baykeeper has been conducting an extensive review of the industrial sites that may be point sources of dioxin contamination around the Bay.  An ongoing part of this process is the development of strategies to address the sites most in need of remediation.

Over the past year, Humboldt Baykeeper has continued to monitor the results of the cleanup that was completed at Simpson Timber Company’s bayside mill in Eureka as a result of our 2008 settlement agreement.  Sampling at the site shows continuing success of the remediation work in the tidal channel adjacent to the property, which has eliminated discharges from the site into Humboldt Bay.

In September of 2010, Humboldt Baykeeper achieved a successful settlement agreement in its litigation regarding numerous violations of the Clean Water Act at Union Pacific’s former rail yards at the Balloon Track along the Eureka waterfront. For decades, this site has been releasing dioxin and other toxins into Humboldt Bay and after four years of litigation, Humboldt Baykeeper reached an agreement with the current and past landowners that will result in the elimination of numerous hot-spots on the property.   Humboldt Baykeeper continues to watchdog the implementation of the cleanup plan that was developed as a result of the settlement, which will reduce pollution discharges to Humboldt Bay.

In both settlement agreements, Humboldt Baykeeper’s ongoing oversight provides the key component in ensuring that any legal action we are part of truly results in on-the-ground benefits to our environment and our community.

More recently, Humboldt Baykeeper has begun to integrate the information developed through our site investigations with our Climate Change Adaptation Program.  Through this approach, Humboldt Baykeeper will be prioritizing contaminated properties most at risk of flooding and erosion from projected sea level rise.