Swift Creek Asbestos Site
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 10: The Pacific Northwest
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Swift Creek Asbestos Site
Site Summary
    Swift Creek dredge piles with Sumas Mountain in background.The Swift Creek Asbestos Site is located along Swift Creek between Goodwin and Oat Coles Roads, near the town of Everson in Whatcom County, Washington. A massive landslide near the headwaters of Swift Creek releases up to 120,000 cubic yards of excess sediment into the creek each year. The slide material contains deposits of naturally occuring asbestos .

    In 2006, EPA conducted "activity-based" air sampling to determine whether asbestos fibers in piles of dredged sediments can get into a person's breathing zone during routine activities such as raking, shoveling, jogging, and biking. In February 2007, EPA released its Summary Report which showed elevated levels of risk for certain activities. As a result of these findings, EPA recommends that local residents limit their exposure to the dredged materials.

    EPA is working with local, state, and federal agencies to develop a safe, long-term solution for flood control and management of dredged sediments from Swift Creek.
Fact Sheets
Regional Information

Site Summary
Fact sheets
Technical Documents
Maps and Photos
Helpful Links

Site Contacts
Ellie Hale (hale.ellie@epa.gov)
EPA Project Manager
206-553-1215

Jeff Hegedus (jhegedus@co.whatcom.wa.us)
Whatcom County Health Dept.
360-676-6724

Barbara Trejo (barbara.trejo@doh.wa.gov)
Washington Dept. of Health
360-236-3373


You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Technical Documents
  • Reports from EPA Swift Creek Bank Stabilization Work in November 2007:
  • Summary Report, EPA Activities at Swift Creek Asbestos Site - February 2007
Maps and Photos

(Click on photos to view larger image.)

A map of northwest Whatcom County. Swift Creek is located near the town of Everson.
Site location map. 		An aerial photo of the landslide on Sumas Mountain relative to the towns of Nooksack and Everson. The slide is about 1.7 miles upstream from the Swift Creek Asbestos Site.
Aerial photo showing site location.		An aerial photo of the landslide on Sumas Mountain. The slide area is about 1 mile in length.
Aerial photo of landslide on Sumas Mountain.
A photo showing stockpiles of dredged sediment 10 to 15 feet high along Swift Creek.
Stockpiled sediments along Swift Creek channel.		A photo showing the height of the dredge piles relative to a person standing in the creek bed.
The dredge piles reach 10-15 feet high in some areas.		A photo of Swift Creek. Stockpiles of dredged sediments can be seen along the banks in the distance.
Swift Creek channel between Goodwin and Oat Coles Roads.
A photo showing EPA staff collecting air samples during dust-generating activities, such as raking shown here.
EPA staff generate dust by raking and other activities and then collect air samples.		Transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of actinolite asbestos fibers from the Swift Creek Asbestos Site.
Actinolite asbestos fiber from Swift Creek viewed in a Transmission Electron Microscope.		Transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of chrysotile asbestos fibers from the Swift Creek Asbestos Site.
Chrysotile asbestos fiber from Swift Creek viewed in a Transmission Electron Microscope.

Related Links


[ Main Cleanup | Brownfields ]
[ Superfund | FOIA | Records Center ]


Point of contact: Ellie Hale
E-Mail: hale.ellie@epa.gov
Phone Number: (206) 553-1215
Last Updated: 05/12/2008