Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor Superfund Site

Soil Sampling on the Point

On January 14, EPA began sampling subsurface soil within the fenced area of the site ("the Point"). EPA will be using a scanning tool attached to a coring drill mounted on a truck to take the samples. This tool is called "TarGOST," or Tar-specific Green Optical Screening Tool. It is used to scan beneath the soil to look for creosote. We expect the work will take about 8 weeks to complete.

The work will only take place during daylight hours. Hours will vary. The samples will help us locate and determine the size and extent of creosote beneath the surface of the site. This will help us to identify and evaluate possible future cleanup options for removal and treatment of the creosote contamination. The work is part of the ongoing study of the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site. If you have questions, contact Debra Sherbina (sherbina.debra@epa.gov) or 800-424-4372, extension 0247.

Site History

The Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor Superfund Site was added to EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1987. The site is on the east side of Bainbridge Island, Washington, in central Puget Sound. It encompasses the former Wyckoff wood-treating facility (operated from 1903 – 1988), a former shipyard, and roughly 500 acres of contaminated sediments next to these former facilities in Eagle Harbor.

The site was contaminated with residue from the wood-treating facility, including creosote, pentachlorophenol (PCP), and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The shipyard contributed organic compounds and heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, copper, and zinc, to the Eagle Harbor sediments.

Site Cleanup Areas (or "Operable Units")

During cleanup, a site may be separated into distinct areas depending on the complexity of the problems associated with the site. These areas - called “operable units" - may address geographic areas of the site, specific site problems, or areas where a specific action is required. The Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor site is made up of three operable units:

• East Harbor Operable Unit: Subtidal and intertidal sediments of the outer harbor next to Wyckoff Point
• West Harbor Operable Unit: Sediments and uplands of former shipyard
• Soil and Groundwater Operable Units: Wyckoff Point area

Learn more about the Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor site cleanup areas »

Recent Activities

Five Year Review: In fall 2012, EPA completed the third Five-Year Review of the cleanup at the site. The review is a checkup to ensure that cleanup remedies continue to protect people’s health and the environment. The final review report (PDF) (291 pp, 17.3MB) has been posted and also made available at the Bainbridge Island Public Library and the EPA Records Center.

Underwater Sampling: In June and July 2012, EPA contractors photographed and sampled the subsurface beach sediment on the on the north and east side of the former Wyckoff facility outside of the metal sheetpile wall. This effort helped us find and determine the size and extent of pools of creosote under the beach sediments and evaluate possible cleanup options for this portion of the site.

Hydraulic Containment System Update: On April 1, 2012, The Washington Department of Ecology took over responsibility for operating and maintaining the Wyckoff hydraulic containment system as agreed upon. The transition went smoothly, partly because Ecology was able to hire the operator EPA has been using for the site. EPA’s technical support contractor is conducting a focused feasibility study on possible source removal and treatment at the site to ensure we gather the data needed to make a remedy decision.

Fact Sheets

• Public Meeting December 11, 2012 (4 pp, 1MB) - November 2012
• Work Moves Forward at Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site Fact Sheet (PDF) (4 pp, 1.15MB) - October 2012
• Notice of EPA Public Information Meeting (PDF) (2 pp, 566K) - September 2009
• Update on Replacement Groundwater Treatment Plant (PDF) (2 pp, 783K) - September 2009
• ATSDR Health Consultation for Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor Superfund Site (PDF) (4 pp, 214K) - August 2009

For copies of older fact sheets, contact Debra Sherbina (sherbina.debra@epa.gov) at 206-553-0247 or 1-800-424-4372, extension 0247.

Technical Documents

Health Consultation

• ATSDR Health Consultation Report for Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site (PDF) (76 pp, 1.2MB) - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, July 22, 2009

Five Year Reviews

• Third Five Year Review Report (PDF) (291 pp, 17.3MB) - September 2012
• Second Five Year Review Report (PDF) (338 pp, 7MB) - September 2007
• First Five Year Review Report (PDF) (206 pp, 5MB) - September 2002

East Harbor Operable Unit

• 2011 Year 17 Monitoring Report (PDF) (138 pp, 15.9MB)
• 1994 Record of Decision (ROD) (PDF) (122 pp, 214K)

West Harbor Operable Unit

• Eagle Harbor Year 14 Annual Report (PDF) (160 pp, 8.4MB) - March 2012
• 1996 Record of Decision (ROD) Amendment (PDF) (98 pp, 199K)
• 1992 Record of Decision (ROD) (PDF) (76 pp, 153K)

Soil & Groundwater Operable Units

• Evaluation of Groundwater Level Data (PDF) (35 pp, 4.7MB) - April 2011
• 2000 Record of Decision (ROD) (PDF) (168 pp, 1.3MB)
• 1994 Groundwater Record of Decision (ROD) (PDF) (54 pp, 90K)

For other site documents, visit one of the document repository locations listed below, or contact Debra Sherbina (sherbina.debra@epa.gov) at 206-553-0247 or 1-800-424-4372, extension 0247.

Where to Review Hard Copies of Documents

You can review copies of technical documents, fact sheets, and other documents related to the cleanup at the following locations:

• Bainbridge Public Library
  1270 Madison Avenue
  Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
  206-842-4162 (please call for hours)
• EPA Region 10 Superfund Records Center
  1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, ECL-076
  Seattle, WA 98101
  206-553-4494 (please call for an appointment)

Watch a Narrated Site Tour