PORT ANGELES — No toxic site in the nation has been cleaned up without a plan to redevelop it afterward, City Manager Mark Madsen says.
So the city is taking the lead by seeking a $350,000 federal grant to assess development possibilities for the site of the former Rayonier pulp mill.
“It’s been long enough, so the city is going to take the initiative and be a little more proactive,” Madsen said.
The lack of a redevelopment plan makes it more difficult to gain approval for cleanup, Madsen said.
The grant will fund bringing the stakeholders together — Rayonier, the state Department of Ecology, the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe and City Hall — to talk about the future of the waterfront property.
The Rayonier pulp mill at 700 Ennis St. on the city’s east side closed March 1, 1997.
The soils still have low levels of dioxins, PCBs and other toxins generated over 68 years as a mill — now dismantled — that transformed wood to pulp.
Fifth year of cleanup
The 75-acre property is in the fifth year of a toxic-waste cleanup project supervised by Ecology, Rayonier Inc. and the tribe.
The city’s application includes a letter of support from the state Department of Ecology.
Rayonier wasn’t contacted for a similar letter, but a company official says it also supports the grant application.
“I think it’s an excellent idea for the city to explore those options. We’re glad they are doing it,” said Dana Dolloff, Rayonier environmental affairs director.
