Cleanup groundbreaking

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These 10 men are breaking ground at Seafarers Memorial Park for a major 2-1/2 year toxic cleanup of the area south of Cap Sante Marina. They represent the Port of Anacortes, state Dept. of Ecology and Kimberly-Clark.

This historic projec is budgeted at $28 million, with Kimberly-Clark paying as much as $20 million of that and the state Dept. of Ecology the rest. The Port is acting as the manager of the project. Port of Anacortes executive director Bob Hyde said once all the contracts are bid, the total cost will probably be a bit less than $28 million.

Prior to the groundbreaking, there was a signing ceremony inside the park building. Tim Nord, representing Ecology, told the audience of several dozen people, "This is a big deal." He said "We, historically, work for decades on cleanup programs, but this one was done in record time." And, the case never went to court.

Nord added "This restoration will enhance our natural resources."

After the sigining and groundbreaking, Port staffers cooked up burgers and hot dogs and served lunch to guests.

A lumber mill started operating at the site in 1890. In 1925, a pulp mill operation was added. In 1940, Scott Paper Co. bought the mills. The company closed the lumber mill in 1955 and the pulp mill in 1978. Scott sold the mill properties in 1979. In 1995, Scott merged with Kimberly-Clark.

The Port’s cleanup plans include moving much of the soil on the site to Pier 2 for cleansing, then moving the clean soil back to the site. The Port has bowed to pressure from residents near Pier 2 and decided to move in a huge tent to control any noise and air pollution that the soil cleansing operation might create.

The Port has also revealed plans to temporarily move the building at Seafarers Park to clean under it, then move it back. Port staffer Bob Elsner said the building happens to be right on top of the most-contaminated area of the cleanup site.

Actual work will start Monday.