PUBLIC FORUM:
SEATTLE WATERWAYS & YOUR HEALTH: DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP

What: The director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences joins local researchers, government officials, and industry experts at a Public Forum on the health impacts and pollution in the Duwamish, Seattle’s working river. Seven short, lively “lightning” presentations will be followed by an open microphone time for questions and discussion.

When: Thursday, April 18th, 2013, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Portage Bay Café, 391 Terry Ave N, South Lake Union, Seattle
Who: Linda Birnbaum, Director, National Inst of Env Health Sciences, Robert Duff, Environmental Assessment Program, WA Dept of Ecology, BJ Cummings, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, Valerie Segrest, Nutritionist, Muckleshoot Tribal member, Rebecca Lindgren Chu, Environmental Protection Agency, David Eaton, Director, Center for Ecogenetics & Environmental Health, Brian Anderson, Environmental Remediation, The Boeing Company, Steve Curwood, host of PRI’s Living on Earth
Moderator: Kelly Edwards, Center for Ecogenetics & Environmental Health

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments. Space is limited: RSVP: www.ecogenetix.org

Why: The Public Forum is an unusual opportunity to hear various perspectives about the historical, environmental, cleanup, and health issues on the Duwamish. The Port of Seattle, Boeing, and other industries are located on the Duwamish. The Duwamish Superfund site, a 5.5 mile stretch of the river that flows into Elliott Bay, is one of the most polluted places in the US. The Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed cleanup plan for the site on February 28. This timely forum takes place during the 90-day public comment period on EPA’s proposed plan.

The diverse, historic Georgetown and South Park neighborhoods along the Duwamish are home to a disproportionate number of low-income, Hispanic, and recent immigrant residents. The river is also part of the traditional fishing grounds of three Northwest Tribes.

Although a Washington State Department of Health Fish Advisory warns not to eat any resident fish or shellfish from the Duwamish River, health officials know that many people still harvest from the river, subsidizing their diets with contaminated seafood, either from economic necessity or lack of understanding or acceptance of the health risks.