PORT ANGELES — A city-sponsored forum to discuss the cleanup of the Rayonier Mill site will be conducted next week.
The forum is set for 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at city hall, 321 E. Fifth St. The forum will be held as a special city council meeting.
Environmental organizations and subject matter experts will speak on the topic. There also will be presentations and a question-and-answer period, according to a press release.
“The Washington State Department of Ecology is seeking public input on the proposed cleanup plan for the Rayonier Mill site,” said Jess Straits, the city of Port Angeles’ communications and records management coordinator, via email. “The City-sponsored forum will provide an additional opportunity to learn about this decades-long project and the proposed cleanup plan in order to develop actionable comments to submit to Ecology.
“Community members will also hear about existing regulations for the site and the proposed future land uses as detailed in the upcoming ‘Vision 2045’ Comprehensive Plan Update. Understanding what proposed future uses could take place at the site may help community members in preparing their public comments, which are due to Ecology by Aug. 12.”
The following experts will speak during the forum:
• Courtney Bornsworth, city natural resources and grant administrator, will provide a five- to 10-minute presentation on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, specifically on the results of the recent community survey regarding the Rayonier Mill site.
• Darlene Schanfald of the Olympic Environmental Council will provide a 10-minute presentation on its involvement in the cleanup over the years.
• Robbie Mantooth of Friends of Ennis Creek will provide a 10-minute presentation on the importance of Ennis Creek to the community.
• Integral Consulting Inc. will provide a 20-minute summary of its findings on the 2019 Rayonier Interim Action Report Volume III: Alternatives Evaluation.
The official agenda with online meeting participation details will be published to the city’s website today.
“This community forum follows the Ecology-hosted Open House held on July 8 and will provide another valuable opportunity for residents to learn more about this critical project,” the city stated in a press release. “It will also support the City and community members in developing actionable comments to submit to the Washington State Department of Ecology. Online participation is available for those unable to attend in person. A recording of the forum will also be made available on the City’s website and YouTube channel.”
The state Department of Ecology invites residents to take part in the next phase of the Port Angeles Rayonier Mill Cleanup Site. Since 1993, more than 30,000 tons of contaminated soil have been removed from the upland areas of the site. Now, the Department of Ecology and Rayonier are proposing final cleanup actions to address the remaining contamination in both upland and marine areas.
“For residents of Port Angeles and surrounding communities, this cleanup is critical to protecting local waterways, improving public health and safety, and supporting future economic development and growth,” the city stated in a press release. “Your feedback is an important part of this process.”
The Department of Ecology is seeking input on the following project documents:
• Draft Interim Action Plan: Proposed cleanup plan for the area.
• Legal Agreement: A consent decree with parties responsible for the cleanup, which requires the parties to carry out the Interim Action Plan.
• State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance: Ecology determined the proposed cleanup is not likely to cause significant harm.
Those documents can be reviewed online at https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/cleanupsearch/site/2270 or in-person at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
The public comment period is open now through Aug. 12.
Comments can be submitted online at https://tcp.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=aZSNQG5gb, by email at Marian.Abbett@ecy.wa.gov, or by mail to the state Department of Ecology, PO Box 47775, Olympia, WA 98504.
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Reporter Emily Hanson can be reached by email at emily.hanson@peninsuladailynews.com.
