UW SRP co-hosts a webinar on the Rayonier Mill cleanup featuring technical expert, Dr. Peter L deFur
On November 22nd the UW SRP co-hosted a webinar with the Olympic Environmental Council (OEC) and the Northwest Toxic Communities Coalition (NWTCC) on the proposed cleanup of the Port Angeles Rayonier Pulp Mill site. The webinar featured OEC's Technical Advisor, Dr. Peter L. deFur speaking about the site, the proposed plan for cleanup and how to get involved during the public comment period.
More than 20 years after the closure of the Rayonier Pulp Mill, the Washington State Department of Ecology released a draft cleanup plan. The draft plan is open for public comment until November 26th, 2019.
Located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Rayonier Pulp Mill made bright white pulp for seven decades and ranked as one of Washington State's worst air, water and soil polluters. Its list of sediment, soil and groundwater contaminants includes dioxins, furans, PAHs, heavy metals, PCBs, phenols and more. Many members of the community are concerned that the proposed plan for cleanup is not adequate to protect public health. It was for this reason that the UW SRP partnered with OEC and NWTCC to help provide the perspective of a technical expert.
Forty-eight people registered for the webinar, 30 people joined, and 43 have viewed a recording of the webinar that was posted online.