By design, the toxics action programs call for early action 
based on existing information to prevent further chemical 
contamination and environmental degradation. As part of the 
strategy, quantitative relationships derived from analysis of 
existing field data are used to associate contaminant sources 
and biological effects, and "interim source control action 
plans" are developed which recommend specific remedial actions 
(e.g., revised/enhanced/new permits, source monitoring, 
enforcement action) required to control sources of 
contamination. The action plan for each bay includes a 
prioritization of sources, a schedule for action implementation 
and the identification of the agency or individuals who could 
most appropriately implement plan components. 
To assist in the identification of necessary corrective 
actions, and to ensure that remedial activities are carried 
out, special "action teams" of enforcement/compliance 
investigators are assigned to each bay by the state Department 
of Ecology. The function of the Action Team is to canvas high 
priority areas, attempting to identify and control sources of 
contamination. As interim, or first round, remedial actions 
are being implemented, supplemental sampling and source 
analyses are conducted to identify additional problem areas and 
problem sources. Based on the supplemental data, the interim 
plan is revised and a new schedule of actions identified. 
Toxics Action Programs are currently being implemented in 
Elliott Bay and Everett Harbor. These programs are possibly 
the most visible of all PSEP studies. Sampling and source 
control initiated in Elliott Bay and Everett Harbor over the 
past two years have generated much media and public attention. 
Although it is too soon to see dramatic changes in the quality 
of the study areas, current toxics control efforts are already 
reducing the loading of chemical contaminants to the Sound. 
Significant improvements are expected in time. 
For Elliott Bay, an interim source control action plan has been 
developed jointly by EPA and the Washington Department of 
Ecology, with input from an interagency technical work group 
and a citizens advisory committee. The three person Elliott 
Bay Action Team, operating out of Ecology's Northwest Regional 
Office, has been working in Elliott Bay and the Duwamish River 
for approximately one year. To date, the team has conducted 
156 site investigations of known or suspected sources, 
initiated 35 enforcement actions, revised 12 discharge permits 
and issued 5 new permits to previously unpermitted 
discharges. A revised source control action plan is currently 
being developed for Elliott Bay, based on the additional site 
characterization and source data that was generated through a 
sampling program carried out in the summer of 1985. 
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