Taking Action to Remove Creosote
The Northwest Straits Commission and Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are engaged in a joint project to identify and remove creosote-laden wood materials from beaches throughout the seven Northwest Straits counties.
Creosote coated materials are commonly found on beaches throughout the Northwest Straits region. Removing creosote debris from beaches is a high priority for the Northwest Straits Commission because there is a tremendous amount of creosote debris in critically sensitive shoreline habitats. Creosote treated wood leaches harmful chemicals on beaches which threaten the health of forage fish eggs and larvae.
In 2006, the Commission worked with DNR to remove creosote at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Jetty Island Park, and Lake Hancock. The Northwest Straits Commission used $35,000 of core funds to support these projects. DNR provided funding and in-kind support for all projects and has sponsored additional removal efforts.
Through the Northwest Straits Foundation an additional $111,000 was leveraged from NOAA's Marine Debris program which is available for project work in 2007. Accumulations of creosote vary significantly by sites. Approximately 70 tons of creosote debris were removed at Jetty Island, over 160 tons at Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and 130 tons at Lake Hancock. Several MRCs contributed volunteer time to survey beaches and tag creosote debris. In Snohomish County this was a partnered effort that occurred during the United Way Day of Caring. In Skagit County, the MRC has full management of the surveys as well as the removal.
Environmental Issue of High Concern: The Puget Sound Action Team's State of the Sound 2004 report identified creosote as a pollutant of concern for water and submerged lands because it contains numerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) know to be toxic. Researchers with the Skagit Marine Resources Committee found that even 60 year old pilings are leaching creosote daily into the marine environment and a scratch with a finger nail can bring fresh chemicals to the surface.
One cubic foot of creosote treated wood contains at least 20 pounds of creosote. Edible fish and seafood captured from creosote-contaminated areas or held in creosoted cages have been found to contain increased concentrations of PAHs and PAH metabolites.
Many toxic chemicals are difficult and costly to remove, particularly those embedded in marine sediments. Creosote is easily identified and removal is clearly achievable. The Skagit MRC has proven that the logs can be systematically identified, measured and recorded using trained volunteers. Once the inventory information is completed, removal efforts can begin. Removal can occur in different ways - debris can either be hand carried upland, loaded onto barges in the water or placed into slings and carried out by helicopter. To date, the preferred method for disposal is to transport debris to the hazardous waste facility in Klickitat County.
Watch Video of Creostoe Removal
Costs: Costs vary depending on the site and removal technique. The Skagit MRC removed approximately 70 tons of creosoted materials for about $35,000. The NWSC and DNR expect to maintain this frugal approach to removal and employ volunteers as much as is safely feasible.
Links:
DNR Fact Sheet on Creosote Log Removal
Whatcom County Creosote Log Remediation Project