FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Conservation Corps to Remove Creosote Logs from Windjammer Park Beach
Oak Harbor, WA – December 6, 2024 – The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) will be at Windjammer Park from December 9-12, 2024, to remove creosote logs from the beach. The team will be focusing on boat work this year, building on the cleanup efforts they started last year with their UTV.
Creosote is a toxic byproduct of coal tar, commonly used for more than a century as a wood preservative to protect pilings in Puget Sound. While it serves to prolong the life of docks and piers, creosote-treated wood leaches harmful chemicals into the environment, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known carcinogens.
This cleanup is part of a broader effort by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remove creosote-treated debris and pilings from Puget Sound. The DNR’s Creosote Removal Program aims to reduce the sources of PAHs, mitigate human exposure to creosote, and enhance nearshore habitats for critical species.
For more information on the creosote removal efforts and how you can help, visit the Washington Department of Natural Resources' website at https://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/aquatics/restoration/creosote-removal.
The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) is a team dedicated to environmental stewardship and service. By providing valuable hands-on experience, WCC members work on projects that protect and restore the natural resources of Washington State.
Media Contact:
Magi Aguilar
Communication Officer
maguilar@oakharbor.org