PEAC sends 60 day notice of its intent to file suit against Diversified Marine

October 11, 2010

On behalf of NEDC and Columbia Riverkeeper, PEAC just sent a 60-day notice of its intent to file suit against Diversified Marine for violations of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”).  Diversified Marine is a shipyard located on the Columbia River, just west of the I-5 Bridge, where the company builds and repairs tugs, barges, and other boats.  Shipbuilding and repair can be a very dirty industry, as heavy metals are often used in “anti-fouling” marine paints.  Additionally, waste oil and solvents are ubiquitous and are often used directly over the water.  Although many shipyards in the region have taken great strides to reduce the risk of discharging pollutants into our waterways, sadly, Diversified Marine is not one of them.  For example, it often fails to cover its dry dock when blasting off old marine paint from boat hulls, thus allowing spent blasting grit and old contaminated paint to enter directly into the Columbia River.  Through their notice letter, NEDC and Columbia Riverkeeper aim to rectify the pervasive problems at the shipyard, and work to further their campaign to keep toxic pollutants out of the Columbia River.

Related Content

• Diversified Marine NOI (PDF)