Asarco Shoreline Remediation

Asarco is remediating the shoreline of the  breakwater peninsula by making the shoreline less steep, and  by covering slag in intertidal areas with native rock,  gravel, and sand. By constructing a shoreline that is less  steep, Asarco is reducing the impact of storm waves that  could break up slag and release harmful metals. The shallow slope also makes a larger intertidal area, in which Asarco is creating a habitat that is friendly to small marine invertebrates and fish, including juvenile salmon. The light-colored rock in the foreground is the new shoreline, which already has some green algae growing on it. The very  large rocks behind the yacht club will be used as riprap to  protect slag on the high shoreline from storm waves.

(08.28.00, Tacoma, Washington)

• Creating New Habitat As Part of Hazardous Waste Cleanup at Asarco Asarco operated one of the largest North American smelters from 1890 to 1985 in Tacoma, Washington, leaving a legacy of toxic slag along the shoreline. OR&R scientists worked with EPA and Asarco to incorporate habitat into the shoreline cleanup.