Commencement Bay Cumulative Impact Study: Historic Review of Special Aquatic Sites
Abstract
The Commencement Bay Nearshore/Tideflats area, of which Commencement Bay is a part, has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Superfund site. Development in and around Commencement Bay have resulted in significant shoreline alterations, loss of substantial aquatic, mudflat and deltat wetland habitat, and degradation of water quality. Dredging of nearshore areas to support port and harbor facilities for the Port of Tacoma has been carried out since the turn of the century by public and private industry. Areas south of the waterways have been diked, filled, and channelized for construction of storage buildings, shipping facilities, and various commercial and industrial purposes. Continued development pressures, maintenance dredging, and other activities necessitate an evaluation of the cumulative impacts of such activities on the remaining aquatic sites of Commencement Bay. Various resource agency and tribal recommendations resulted in the Commencement Bay Cumulative Impact Study, which was designed to produce the most complete historic record documenting loss of special aquatic sites. The baseline information will be used to quantify the cumulative impacts beginning in the mid-1800's through 1941 as a management tool. Commencement bay is generally defined as a geographic region of south Puget Sound in Washington State extending from Brown's Point to Point Defiance. It provides a natural harbor for ships because there are no bars or other obstructions at the entrance to the bay.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA245930