Port Angeles Rayonier Mill 2025 Comment Period

We would like more information about why the cleanup process has been allowed to go on so long. In the meantime the salmonid population in Ennis Creek continues to decrease.

Thank you for helping us and others understand.

Jim and Robbie Mantooth

Co-foun...↓ders, Friends of Ennis Creek

Dear Site Manager Mariam Abbot,

I live in Port Angeles and regularly take walks on the trail along the bay. At the July 8th public meeting I was very disappointed to learn that the clean up plan was for a partial clean up only. I want to encourage the...↓ DOE to reconsider their plan and work for a Level 5 clean up. Rayonier has made many millions of dollars and left town leaving a contaminated Super Fund site. They should be held responsible for leaving it in the same condition as it was when they built the mill. I'm looking forward to the day when my walk along the bay does not include having to pass by the fenced in area of the mill site. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Barley

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to strongly oppose the Washington Department of Ecology’s proposed “cleanup” plan for the former Rayonier mill site in Port Angeles. The current plan—to pile up toxic waste over 10 acres along the Discovery Trail, ...↓cover it with a cap, surround it with a chain-link fence, and declare the job done—is wholly unacceptable.

This is not cleanup. It is containment, and it leaves future generations to deal with a hazardous legacy. The toxins at this site threaten our community’s health, our environment, and our economy. Simply capping and fencing the waste will not prevent long-term contamination of the soil, groundwater, or marine waters of Port Angeles Harbor.

The Rayonier company is a profitable corporation and has the financial capacity to fund a complete cleanup. The Department of Ecology’s claim that it cannot require full removal due to a “cost-benefit” provision in state law (RCW) is unacceptable. Public health, environmental integrity, and the future of this beautiful waterfront area must outweigh short-term cost calculations.

The Discovery Trail is a beloved public asset, drawing visitors from around the region and beyond. Placing a fenced toxic waste site directly alongside it will harm tourism, diminish our community’s reputation, and send a message that industry can pollute without full accountability.

I urge the Department of Ecology to reject the current plan and require a full removal of contaminated materials from the site. We have one chance to restore this waterfront properly. Let’s not settle for a temporary, unsafe, and unsightly solution that compromises our community’s future.

Respectfully

Peter Darragh

From: Joanie Beldin <joanibldn@gmail.com>

Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:22 AM

To: Abbett, Marian L. (ECY) <MABB461@ECY.WA.GOV>

Cc: Sixkiller, Casey (ECY) <csix461@ECY.WA.GOV>

Subject: Port Angeles Rayonier Mill Public Comment

Dear Site Manager Mariam Ab...↓bot,

I thank you for this opportunity to comment on the proposed options for the clean-up of the Rayonier Mill site. 

I live in Port Angeles and regularly take the walkway that passes the chain link fence guarding the Rayonier Mill site. This is a popular walkway used by visitors from all over the country and the world. Not only is this site offensive to what is otherwise a scenic part of our town, but more importantly, it has been left as an area contaminated for decades from industrial pollution, once considered a Superfund site until that label was removed, not because it wasn’t deserving of it, but due to city embarrassment. This site is a blight on our community.

DOE now has the opportunity to demand that the owner of this polluted site clean up the mess that it created. Rayonier is responsible for the contamination it left in the wake of its closure and they should be fully responsible for cleaning it up to its fullest extent.

I attended the July 8th public meeting put on by DOE. I was dismayed to hear this agency say that in spite of the fact that the majority of the local comments it receives and in spite of the stance of the Port Angeles city council demanding a full and complete cleanup, Rayonier cannot be required to do a full clean-up. Of course, Rayonier will never volunteer to do so. Rayonier can easily afford the costs of a complete clean-up. I was very disappointed to hear DOE stand behind Rayonier rather than the people of this state who DOE should be most responsible for.

I am making the following requests:

-- Follow the Port Angeles City Council recommendation and select Option 5 calling for a complete cleanup.

-- Remove all contaminated soils and sediments. Option 3 does not factor in the inevitable event of an earthquake or unknown impacts of climate change. There are no guarantees with a cover up in the long term. It makes no sense to do a partial job that may bring contaminants back to the surface and will need to be redone later at a greater cost not only in the monetary sense, but in cost to the environment and human health.

-- The current site must be restored to its natural state, prior to the building of the Rayonier Mill. Prioritize the needs of our fish in this decision. Ennis Creek, whose waters run into this site, is our last best chance for a salmon creek in this city. No fish have been seen swimming up this creek for several years. In order to provide for their habitat needs, the following steps need to be followed:

          - Recreate an estuary to replace brackish water of a salt marsh Rayonier paved to create a parking lot. Salmonids need a mixture of fresh and saltwater to make physical adaptations as they leave the freshwater. Provide for a more naturally flowing stream such as is essential for a salmon stream and remove all pollutants entirely.

             It is not unusual to see Southern Resident Orcas swimming in the waters near Port Angeles. These whales feed almost solely on salmon. It is well known that these whales are in danger of extinction due to the steep decline of salmon in the Strait and Sound. Creating a salmon stream in Ennis Creek will provide these whales with one more source of life saving salmon.

-- Oppose any rebuilding on this site. Returning it to its natural state, it will attract wildlife and will become part of the wildlife corridor connecting natural areas east and west of the site.

By choosing the option for a full and complete cleanup, DOE has the opportunity to change this site from one of a blight to an area of pride and an enhancement to our community.

Rayonier created this highly polluted and contaminated site. It must take responsibility and cover all costs. DOE must do right for the community of Port Angeles by holding them to this responsibility. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Joan Beldin 

Port Angeles

From: David Birmingham <dab@wavecable.com>

Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 8:26 AM

To: Abbett, Marian L. (ECY) <MABB461@ECY.WA.GOV>

Subject: Port Angeles Rayonier Mill Site

As a citizen of Port Angeles I am urging a complete clean up of all toxins from th...↓e Port Angeles Rayonier Mill site.

Thank You,

David Birmingham

dab@wavecable.com

From: Vaughnetta J Barton <vajbarton@comcast.net>

Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 7:34 AM

To: Abbett, Marian L. (ECY) <MABB461@ECY.WA.GOV>

Cc: KDexter@cityofpa.us; NCarr@cityofpa.us

Subject: Rayonier Mill SL-5 Cleanup

Dear Ms. Abbett,

As a follow-up to rene...↓wed conversations regarding the Rayonier Mill site, I support Port Angeles City Council’s request that Washington State Department of Ecology work toward a cleanup of the Rayonier Mill site.

It is my understanding that the Department of Ecology is unsure how to move forward with public officials’ requests—made on behalf of voters, taxpayers, and visitors—and has proposed a SL-3 cleanup.

As a follow-up to this message and following the public comment period, it would be valuable to know the Department of Ecology’s timeline for a SL-5 cleanup at the Rayonier site.

Given the Department of Ecology’s purpose statement, “We are proud to protect, preserve, & enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations”, citizens need the Department to Ecology to hold Rayonier accountable for a SL-5 cleanup.

Respectfully,

Mrs. V.J. Barton

Port Angeles, WA

vajbarton@comcast.net

Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society.  -Congressman John R. Lewis (1940-2020)

From: Marie Murata <mlynne12@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 1:53 PM

To: Sixkiller, Casey (ECY) <csix461@ECY.WA.GOV>

Subject: Rayonier Mill Site

I am advocating for a complete clean up of the former Rayonier Mill site.

Marie L. Murata

916-217-435...↓8

1011 Walker Street

Port Angeles, WA 98363

From: David Mattern <dmattern@avvanta.com>

Sent: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 6:27 PM

To: Abbett, Marian L. (ECY) <MABB461@ECY.WA.GOV>

Cc: nwest@cityofpa.us

Subject: Comments on Port Angeles Rayonier Mill Site cleanup

Attached are my comments on the Port Angele...↓s Rayonier Mill

Site. Thank you for your consideration.

David Mattern

Certified Environmental Professional, Emeritus

dmattern@avvanta.com

206-300-1798

From: Judith Morris <kudu1028@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, August 3, 2025 11:00 AM

To: Sixkiller, Casey (ECY) <csix461@ECY.WA.GOV>

Subject: Rayonier cleanup

This is an easy choice.  Please count me as favoring the full clean up - option 5.   I’ve watched Rayo...↓nier bob and weave and find ways to do little or nothing for 25 years.  It is the for them, and Ecology, to step up and do the right thing for this property.   Thank you,  Judith