SEPA REGION 10 DIVE TEAM www.epa.gov/region10/dive EPA Region 10 Dive Team East Water Way (EWW), U.S. Coast Guard Station - Derelict Pier and Bottom Debris Removal Pre-Survey for Puget Sound Initiative, March 2008 What: The Superfund Environmental Cleanup Office requested assistance from the EPA Region 10 Dive Team to assist in a survey of debris within the Duwamish East Waterway, which is part of the Harbor Island Superfund Site. Why: Diver survey objectives were to: 1) inspect under the docks and nearby for debris and broken pilings, 2) look for an obvious signs of gross contamination, and 3) survey for habitat potential. Removal of the pilings is part of a broader effort to restore Puget Sound by removing creosote from the ocean environment. Where: East Water Way (EWW), U.S. Coast Guard Station - Derelict Pier and Bottom Debris Removal- Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Longitude/Latitude: N122.342623 W47.589088 When: Dive surveys were conducted on March 19, 2008. How: Activities included 4 dives to record video and take still photos of the bottom, dock, broken pilings, and other debris. Results: Divers found that nearshore, the bottom debris was covered in algae. Not many invertebrates were noted - a few star fish and crab, including Pisaster brevispinus - spiny pink star; Pycnopodia helianthoides - sun star, Cancer productus - rock crab, and kelp crab. A ling cod was also seen and captured on video. No clam siphons and no old shells were seen. The only growths on the pilings were mussels and barnacles in the upper intertidal level and a small amount of macroalgae. Many broken pilings were found and noted on the video. Several pilings were found to be laying on the bottom, downslope from the docks. A complete set of videos and photographs were provided to the Superfund project manager and Washington DNR for use in planning dock and debris removal as part of the Puget Sound Initiative. More Details: See the EPA Harbor Island Superfund Site web page Contact: Rob Pedersen (206) 553-1646, Pedersen.rob@epa.gov ------- Photos: 0 10 20 40 60 80 Aerial view of the project area and approximate diver coverage of the bottom. ------- Photo of piling which has broken off and fallen into the remaining dock structure. Close up view of a piling, broken off near the bottom. ------- Multiple pilings that have broken off the dock and rolled down the slope east toward the channel. View facing east of a recreational shore access area, just south of the south dock structure. ------- Photo of concrete piling in the South dock area. Return to EPA Region 10 Dive Team homepage. ------- |