In August 2007, the Port formally requested that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consider a revised schedule for the design phase of the Terminal 4 contaminated sediment cleanup project. We remain committed to addressing contaminated sediments at T4 in a protective, timely, and fiscally responsible manner. Our goals are to collaborate with the EPA on the best path forward to achieve this objective and continue interim work that helps to reduce risks to the public and the environment. Our requested schedule revision would align the project with the overall Portland Harbor Superfund site cleanup studies. The EPA is currently considering our request.

As background, in May 2006, the EPA selected a cleanup method for T4 sediments, and the EPA and the Port have been working together on the design. The design emphasizes dredging contaminated sediment and placing it in a confined disposal facility (CDF) that will be constructed at Terminal 4’s Slip 1. The cleanup also includes the use of monitored natural recovery (allowing natural processes to reduce risk) and capping (covering sediment with clean materials).

While working through technical details of the cleanup design, we found that information from the harbor-wide study would help develop a cost-effective and environmentally-protective CDF. Initially, the harbor-wide cleanup studies and the design of the T4 cleanup were on parallel tracks. Now, the two projects are no longer synchronized, and the deadline for the harbor-wide study has been extended by two years, from 2007 to 2009. Our request of the EPA reflects this concern that outstanding studies should be incorporated into the T4 cleanup design.