SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced a settlement with the city of Seattle that resolves liability for alleged injured natural resources at the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site.
Seattle has agreed to fund restoration projects.
“The city of Seattle is acting responsibly to resolve its liability for injuries to natural resources by acting to restore those resources by creatively utilizing restoration credits,” said assistant attorney general John C. Cruden, of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“Everyone comes out ahead when parties resolve their liability in this way, and the benefits of this resolution, cleaner waterways, will be enjoyed by Seattle residents and generations to come.”
The city purchased roughly $3.5 million in restoration credits to help restore the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site, which is one of the largest Superfund sites in Washington state.
“Settlements like this demonstrate that when trustees work with responsible parties to focus on natural resources we can restore the environment without litigation,” said regional director Robyn Thorson, of the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Region 1.
The consent degree settling the allegations will be subject to a 30-day public comment period, after which time it will go before a federal court for approval.