BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Washington Department of Ecology has announced a dredging project in the Bellingham Waterfront to help eliminate contaminated sediment.

Ecology says their crews will begin sampling water from the contaminated I & J Waterway throughout July. Around 18,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment is expected to be removed from that area after the sampling is completed. Ecology will also be removing and replacing an existing dock as well as the addition of a new sheet pile bulkhead.

The Bellingham Waterfront was used for many years as a hotspot for multiple industrial activities including a lumber mill, rock crushing and seafood processing. According to Ecology, a building fire in 1985 potentially contributed to the contamination in this portion of the waterfront.

The I & J Waterway is one of 12 different contaminated locations in Bellingham Bay that are monitored by Ecology.

Construction is expected to wrap up in February 2025.