A message from the Executive Director of Communities for a Healthy Bay:

Hello friends, It has been over three months since WestRock officially announced their plans to close the Tacoma paper mill. Since that announcement, CHB has been tracking the closure of this plant closely, to understand the impacts on our community for workers, the environment, and for the future of the site. I want to share an update with you on the questions many community members have.

#1: Why does it look like the plant is still in operation?

The top question we have heard from community members is about the steam plumes that have continued long after WestRock ceased pulping activities around September 6, 2023. Here is what we’ve learned so far:

The steam plumes are the result of WestRock operating boilers to generate power for their decommissioning work and to sell back on the grid. Under their currently active air and water permits, WestRock is allowed to burn the remaining on-site hog fuel (a rough mix of wood fiber and chips) and wastewater treatment sludge from the paper pulping process.

Both hog fuel and wastewater sludge can have worrying emission profiles and we are trying to find out more about harm from that air pollution and how much longer we can expect it to continue.

#2: Is the site contaminated, and if so, how will it be cleaned up?

The site is contaminated. The Department of Ecology is moving forward under the ModelToxics and Control Act (MTCA) to address potential contamination on the site. Ecology issued several Preliminary Determination of Liability letters on October 10, 2023 explaining that they had gathered credible evidence to find both WestRock CP, LLC and the Simpson Investment Company liable for the release of hazardous substances on the site, including (1) spilling 100,000 gallons of black liquor (a toxic byproduct of the pulping process) and onto the Puyallup River shoreline, (2) spilling 500gallons of 93% sulfuric acid onto soil, (3) unaddressed soil sampling that indicated worsening dioxin/furan contamination.

All potentially liable persons (PLPs) who are notified have 30 days (November 9) to either challenge or accept their liability before Ecology can begin the process of developing plans for a clean-up under MTCA. During the MTCA process, there will be several opportunities for public comment and engagement (seen as orange speech bubbles on this MTCA flow chart). CHB will continue tracking this site and reaching out to local communities to ensure that your voices are heard.

It is important to note that MTCA is a very slow-moving process, taking many years in most cases. There is an opportunity to develop a community-based advisory board for this process, and we’re assessing the need for this type of public engagement. If you would be interested in serving on such a board, please let me know.

For added context, while this will be the first MTCA process related to the WestRock site, it did go through the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) , also known as Superfund, process in the 1980s. This process encompassed the entirety of the CommencementBay, Near Shore/Tideflats superfund site and the work done on the WestRock site focused solely on sediment contamination.

#3: What will happen to the site next?

We have been investigating what the future of the site might look like, and talking with community members, companies, the Tribe, Port, and City officials about this. We anticipate hosting community conversations about this over the next year, and hope you will engage with us on that.

#4: How are the workers who lost their jobs?

We know the unions and Workforce Central stepped in to help workers right away. CHB has been watching for the impact this has had on workers at Westrock, and, where we can, connecting unions and hiring companies to ensure people find new job opportunities. From what we’ve heard, people have landed on their feet.

As Tacoma continues to envision its role in a changing climate and a greening economy, we know that our future is one where industry supports clean air and water, and supports a thriving community. We are hopeful that through this process, we can continue to shape a vibrant, sustainable, and healthy Tacoma for all.

I hope this helps answer questions you have. Please let me know if you have information to share or any further questions.

Sincerely,

Melissa Malott
Communities for a Healthy Bay
chb@healthybay.org

Tacoma City Council officially recognizes November as Native American Heritage Month, with Puyallup Tribal Council Chairman Bill Sterud in attendance as the proclamation was read on Tuesday, Nov.7. Chairman Sterud expressed his appreciation to Tacoma City Council for the proclamation and the work it has done with the Tribe. - Puyallup Tribal Community Newsletter

View full video here

Read full story here

Statement on Tacoma Power Outage From Tacoma Public Utilities Nov. 16th 2023:

"At about 11:00 AM this morning, Tacoma Power crews were performing required testing of our transmission system protecting the line between Cushman Power Plants and NE Tacoma. The testing resulted in a unexpected operation, causing equipment outside of the scope of the test to de-energize portions of our network.

"A thorough investigation will be undertaken to understand the root causes of this large power outage. We regret that so many Tacoma Power and Peninsula Light customers were impacted by this unexpected outage. We are thankful for our crews and system operators effectively restoring our customers within about 40 minutes of the start of the outage." - Tacoma Public Utilities, on x.com.

Make extra cash this holiday season—Join team UPS!

Now hiring for seasonal positions in Tacoma, with competitive pay available. Apply Here

Car dealership etches catalytic converters to prevent theft
BY JAMES LYNCH

KIRO Newsradio Reporter

If you live and drive in parts of Western Washington, you will be able to worry a little less about your catalytic converter being stolen.

The Tacoma Police Department and Titus-Will Toyota are partnering again on a program known as CATCON ID to etch catalytic converters with a unique serial number to prevent and discourage theft.

The converter also is sprayed with bright orange paint and there is a window sticker to alert would-be thieves that the car is protected. READ FULL STORY at MyNorthwest.com

The following are three different ways you can get more involved in your community:

Metro Parks Tacoma community centers have budgeted $10,000 per center for a center-based project to be completed in 2024. You can have a voice in the future of your community center. How would improve your center with $10,000?

Submit your ideas HERE

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Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. The meetings are held in the TPU Auditorium at 3628 S. 35th St., Tacoma, or virtually via Zoom. The meetings are open to the public for comment.

The meetings are also televised live on TV Tacoma and archived for viewing at any time.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 2023.

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Neighborhood Council Program

The Neighborhood Council Program engages neighbors on issues and concerns that directly affect them, help craft solutions to mutual problems, and build a sense of pride and personal responsibility for their neighborhoods. The program is committed to racial equity in all operations and at this time is focused on increasing board representation of underrepresented communities. You can view Tacoma Municipal Code 1.45 and the Standards and Guidelines document for the Neighborhood Council Program to learn more about the program.

Each Neighborhood Council serves as an independent, non-profit organization to promote community-based efforts for neighborhood improvement.

Any resident, business owner, employee, property owner or member of an existing neighborhood group within a Neighborhood Council area can join a Neighborhood Council.

Connect Directly with your Neighborhood Council

Find out more from your neighborhood council by navigating directly to the website, social media page, or links provided below:

• Central Tacoma Neighborhood Council

• Eastside Neighborhood Council

• New Tacoma Neighborhood Council

• North End Neighborhood Council

• Northeast Neighborhood Council

• South End Neighborhood Council

• South Tacoma Neighborhood Council

• West End Neighborhood Council

Neighborhood Council District Map

Search your address or on the map to find the Neighborhood Council in your area CLICK HERE.

If you have extra candy that you didn’t hand out please feel free to drop it off at the office at Lincoln High School. Teachers pass it out to students that can use a snack during testing or long assignments and they would be grateful.

Email SafeTacoma253@gmail.com for pick up or to arrange a drop off outside of school hours.

Mr Kelly, Mr Nguyen, Mr Henderson, Ms Plotke, or Ms Prieto are great teachers who would be appreciative.

Become a part of helping to tell Washington State’s story! WSHM is on a mission to connect communities through the power of history. As a volunteer, you'll be making history come alive for visitors. No prior experience necessary!

Dive into the fascinating narratives that shape our state, uncover connections to Washington’s past, present, and future, and be an essential part of our history-centered civic dialogue. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply love engaging with people, there's a place for you in our community!

Sign up for volunteer shifts via Volunteer Hub, it's easy! Here's the link: https://bit.ly/3MFOecm

Attention Tacoma residents! Have your say on downtown parking by participating in the Downtown Parking Survey! Share your feedback on parking availability, convenience, and more before December 8th. Help shape a more accessible downtown for everyone!

To learn more and share your thoughts about this CLICK HERE

Hey guys, if you appreciate this free newsletter, our comprehensive EVENT CALENDAR and our free monthly newspaper and you want to help us continue our mission, you can send us your story ideas, volunteer, buy an ad, follow us on facebook, Instagram, Youtube, X , or make a donation on our website. You can also share this newsletter and invite people to subscribe. CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.

11/17 & 11/18 from 9:30- 4PM - Holiday Bizarre at MultiCare Tacoma Lutheran Clinic, 1301 North Highlands Parkway, Tacoma, WA

11/17 from 5-8PM - Holiday Open House with Compass Rose & Envy Boutique at 3815 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA.

11/18-19 from 10-4PM - Tacoma Holiday Market at the Pagoda at Point Defiance, 5801 Trolley Ln, Tacoma, WA.

11/18-11/19 from 11-4PM - Tacoma Is For Lovers: Holiday Craft Fair at Kings Books, 218 St Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA .

11/19 from 1-6PM - Goth Swap at Tacoma Dance Studios, 1127 Broadway #204, Tacoma, WA.

11/24 from 10-7PM - Record Store Day Black Friday at Atomic Genius Records, 111 W Meeker, Puyallup, WA.

Find events like these and more at https://weekly-volcano.com/calendar