Regional Contaminated Sediment Disposal

Since 2007, the Lower Columbia Solutions Group (LCSG) has been working on a solution to help lower Columbia ports dredge and dispose of sediments that are too contaminated for in-water release. These sediments must be disposed in an up-land permitted facility to protect aquatic species and water quality. The partners recognize that pesticides, metals and other contaminants originating throughout the Columbia River watershed move down through the system and settle out at the mouth of the river, leaving lower Columbia ports with the costly problem of dredging and disposing of these materials, most of which they did not produce. Given the importance of the lower Columbia ports to the regional economy and to local communities, Oregon and Washington partners endorse a regional solution.