Port of Seattle Approved Terminal 91 Maintenance Dredge
The Port of Seattle issued a Determination of Non-Significance for the upcoming Terminal 91 West Berth dredging project.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Current Conditions
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The Port of Seattle has officially issued a Determination of Non-Significance regarding the Terminal 91 Interim Action West Berth Maintenance Dredge Project. This environmental approval allows the facility to proceed with necessary maintenance work in the waters of Elliott Bay.
Why it matters
This project aims to maintain operational standards at the port while ensuring environmental safety through adherence to state regulations. The dredging process is designed to comply with sediment antidegradation rules and restore necessary benthic surfaces.
The plan involves placing 100 cubic yards of clean sand in the eastern dredge area to achieve a 9-inch layer thickness. This effort follows sediment antidegradation standards to maintain the ecological integrity of the site.
The players
Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle is a municipal corporation that operates the harbor and airport facilities serving the Pacific Northwest region.
Port of Seattle Commission
The Port of Seattle Commission is the governing body responsible for setting policy and oversight for the port's environmental and operational initiatives.
The details
Dredging will be conducted using a barge-mounted crane or hydraulic excavator, with dewatering handled via geotextile and straw bale filtration on the barge. Removed sediment will be transported by lined trucks or railcars to a Subtitle D landfill, while post-dredge sampling will inform future cleanup efforts under MTCA guidelines.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: The Port of Seattle issued the determination.
Seasonal Patterns
This project operates within the procedural framework of the State Environmental Policy Act to manage the ecological footprint of industrial port maintenance. It aligns with historical patterns of managing sediment quality in Elliott Bay to ensure long-term maritime utility.
While the project is industrial, residents should remain aware of potential equipment movement near Terminal 91 as dredging work commences. No specific public health or evacuation advisories have been issued as the project adheres to state environmental safety protocols.
The takeaway
The determination signifies that the port has met the necessary environmental hurdles to begin infrastructure maintenance. Ongoing monitoring will ensure the site remains compliant with regional sediment standards throughout the cleanup process.
Further reading
Learn more about local environmental monitoring in Seattle Current Conditions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dredgingtoday.
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