The Washington State Department of Ecology is conducting a public comment period from June 1, 2026 through July 1, 2026 for the Georgia-Pacific West cleanup site at 300 West Laurel Street in Bellingham. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, the public comment period covers a draft consent decree and an updated public participation plan for the Chlor-Alkali Area of the 74-acre site.
The consent decree is a legal agreement between the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Port of Bellingham. According to the document, the agreement requires the port to implement the cleanup action plan for the Chlor-Alkali Area and establishes the liability terms for the port.
Two public events are scheduled for June 10, 2026 at the Portal Container Village on West Laurel Street. RE Sources will conduct a site walking tour from 3:30pm to 5pm. The Washington State Department of Ecology will host an open house from 5pm to 7pm to present information and answer questions regarding the site.
The pulp and tissue mill operated at the location from 1926 through 2007. Operations caused soil and groundwater contamination, including mercury, petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dissolved metals, and high pH levels. The Port of Bellingham purchased the property from the Georgia-Pacific Corporation in 2005 and assumed cleanup responsibilities.
The Washington State Department of Ecology and the Port of Bellingham divided the site into two cleanup areas in 2013 to facilitate remediation and redevelopment. The 38-acre Pulp and Tissue Mill Area completed cleanup in 2016. A 2022 cleanup addressed the Lignin Operable Unit within the Chlor-Alkali Area. The remaining portions of the 36-acre Chlor-Alkali Area are scheduled for phased cleanup between 2026 and 2031.
The Georgia-Pacific West site is 1 of 12 cleanup locations managed under the Bellingham Bay Action Team. The multi-agency group operates under the Bellingham Bay Comprehensive Strategy, which was established in 2000 to coordinate sediment cleanup, pollution source control, and habitat restoration. Following the completion of environmental cleanups, the Port of Bellingham plans to redevelop the land for commercial, retail, and residential use.
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