Port Commissioners to consider $1.8 million for environmental cleanup

At their Jan. 17 meeting, Port of Tacoma Commissioners will consider approving $1.8 million for environmental cleanup plans. Most of the money — $1.5 million — would fund a cleanup plan for the former Arkema manufacturing site along the Hylebos Waterway, which decades ago produced such chemicals as chlorine, caustic soda and an herbicide containing arsenic. The other $287,000 would pay for a cleanup action plan for the Arkema log yard to propose removing a 25-foot high containment mound filled with ASARCO slag and wood waste. Removing the containment mound, which would require Washington State Department of Ecology approval, is necessary to redevelop the property into marine terminals.