Originally published July 10, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 10, 2007 at 2:03 AM
Deal reached to reduce boatyards' toxic runoff
Boatyard owners, the state and environmentalists have agreed to explore new ways to reduce toxic runoff, a compact that all sides lauded...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Boatyard owners, the state and environmentalists have agreed to explore new ways to reduce toxic runoff, a compact that all sides lauded as a step toward a cleaner Puget Sound.
At issue is storm water tainted with copper and other heavy metals that rinses off of some boatyards in the state. Copper is a key component in the bottom paint that protects boats from barnacles and other marine life. But the same ingredients that make it effective make it toxic.
To protect water quality, the state Department of Ecology issues a storm water permit affecting more than 70 boatyards around the state. But new standards set in 2005 have been challenged in court by boatyard operators who said they were unattainable. Meanwhile, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, an environmental group, also has sued, saying the standards are not stringent enough.
To break some 15 months of impasse in litigation, the Northwest Marine Trade Association, representing the boatyards, and the Soundkeeper Alliance and the state Ecology Department announced the settlement Monday.
Under it, a pilot program will be set up to test the effectiveness of new technology to reduce toxic runoff from boatyards. The program could help develop a standard that actually works in the real world.
Sampling undertaken by boatyard operators indicates runoff often is higher than standards now in place allow. But the question is what is realistic and affordable, said Michael Campbell, president of the Northwest Marine Trade Association.
"The answer is not to shut down boatyards," Campbell said. "We want clean water as much or more than anyone."
Sue Joerger, executive director of the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, called the settlement historic. Money that otherwise would be spent on lawyers now will be spent on controlling pollution, she said.
Finding a workable answer for boatyards may also work for other industries, she added. "We are looking for solutions," she said.
Lynda V. Mapes: 206-464-2736 or lmapes@seattletimes.com
UPDATE - 09:46 AM
Exxon Mobil wins ruling in Alaska oil spill case
NEW - 7:51 AM
Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife
Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife
Longview mill spills bleach into Columbia River
NEW - 8:00 AM
More extensive TSA searches in Sea-Tac Airport rattle some travelers
![]()

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwautos
Turismo upgrade "Gran Turismo 5: XL Edition" for PlayStation 3 has features such as new car-tuning settings, new NASCAR vehicles, better replay video...
Post a comment
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- Washington men walloped by Oregon, 82-57
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
504 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
400 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
351 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
337 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
113 - Rough road again
108 - A few late-night notes
96 - USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall
76 - Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot
74
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review







