Tribe assesses oil-spill damage to clam industry and estuary

By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County bureau

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The tribe also complained that cleanup officials failed to assess the severity of the spill before it contaminated the estuary, and suggested that more workers should have been deployed when it was discovered that the oil slick was headed to the beach.

Cleanup crews, led by Foss Maritime, initially used a protective boom spread across the estuary's entrance to prevent an oil spillover, but strong winds and high tides allowed the contaminants to breach the barrier. Cleanup efforts also continued yesterday at Jefferson Point and Point Wells.

The culturally sensitive and economically lucrative area was swamped by oil Wednesday when efforts to stave off contamination failed. Besides being known as a sacred tribal ground, the 400-acre beach and estuary is home to geoducks and other clams that contribute to a $2 million industry for the tribe.

"While our whole operation isn't located here, several hundred thousand dollars in geoducks and clams could be lost," said tribal spokesman Leonard Forsman.

Tribal biologists collected samples of both, which they planned to send to labs for testing. While there was little fear that adult fish and birds calling the estuary home would suffer long-term damage, there was concern that immobile species, larvae and younger fish would need years to recover.

"This area was practically untouched before this," said Paul Williams, the tribe's shellfish-program manager. "The road to the estuary was really the only impact."

The 4,800-gallon spill was reported early Tuesday when a refueling barge operated by Foss was overfilled at Point Wells, near Richmond Beach. About one minute passed, a Foss spokesman said, before crew members and dock workers could shut off valves controlling the flow of heavy oil. About 6,000 gallons of fuel spilled, but about 1,200 gallons were recovered on the deck of the barge. Oil that poured into the water traveled about six miles, into the estuary on the Suquamish reservation.

The barge, which can hold about 1.25 million gallons, was expected to carry about 1.18 million gallons, state Department of Ecology officials said. The barge was taking the fuel to Tacoma, Foss officials said.

The Department of Ecology is investigating the cause of the spill.

Foss, a 115-year-old company with operations in Puget Sound, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, said yesterday a tank supervisor on the barge had returned to an office to fill out paperwork after fuel loading began. A series of visible and audible alarms signaled a problem, and the employee, along with other dock workers, returned to shut down the operation.

Foss spokesman Joe Langjahr said it's not uncommon or against company policy for the tank operator to leave the fuel-loading site, because monitors are visible from the office.

While cleanup efforts could take weeks and cost millions of dollars, tribal leaders say it could be years before the beach and estuary return to their pristine condition.

"At this point, we've no idea how toxic the oil will be," said Viviane Barry, a tribal shellfish biologist.

Cleanup crews switched tactics yesterday to remove as much oil as possible from the water's surface. Despite cold, rainy weather, crews in yellow slickers and boots strung out yards of green "pompom" booms that attract oil.

Oil continued washing up on the rocky, gravelly beach. As of yesterday afternoon, crews had recovered three oiled birds and one seal pup, which later died.

Tribal members are expected to meet Monday with the Department of Ecology and company officials to assess damage and cleanup options. Forsman said tribal leaders want to quickly reach an understanding with Foss about repair to the estuary. Ecology spokesman Larry Altose said state money spent on the cleanup also would be recovered.

While insurance money will cover most of the cleanup, Foss officials said, what's best for the environment has yet to be determined.

Said Barry: "With such a heavy oil, it might just be best to remove deposits from the water but not try to remove it from the sediment."

She said the next couple of days should help to clarify plans.

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-783-0577 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com

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