The Everett Harbor program was initiated in 1986, approximately 
one year after work began in Elliott Bay. To date, an Everett 
Harbor action team has yet to be assigned. However, 
substantial progress has been made towards characterizing the 
study area and probable sources of toxic contamination. Based 
on existing information, a comprehensive problem Identification 
report has been generated and an interim action plan Is 
currently being developed. 
Estuary characterization and problem identification 
The PSEP approach to Improving understanding of the overall 
estuarine system builds upon previous work undertaken by EPA, 
NOAA, the Department of Ecology, and the University of 
Washington. The approach involves synthesis and analysis of 
spatial and temporal trends using historic and current data on 
pollutant loads, water and sediment quality, and living 
resources. In addition, intensive field and literature surveys 
are used to evaluate current conditions. 
An evaluation of past and current estuary characterization 
efforts revealed several areas in which additional work was 
needed. In response, PSEP funded characterization and problem 
Identification studies have addressed a broad range of topics, 
including investigations of chemical uptake in marine 
organisms, trends in chemical and nutrient loadings and related 
water quality impacts, routes of contaminant transport and 
deposition, and evaluation of changes in living resource 
distribution and abundance. Although many of the PSEP 
characterization studies have yet to be completed, significant 
products have already resulted. Two of the most noteworthy are 
the Puget Sound Environmental Atlas, and a series of pollutant 
loading reports which detail the current state of knowledge 
about the loading of various contaminants to the Sound. 
The Environmental Atlas, which consists of a series of 
approximately 500 maps with overlays and accompanying 
narrative, is expected to provide a common reference for 
agencies focusing action on preventing and/or solving Puget 
Sound environmental problems. Based on the consensus of the 
local scientific community, the information presented In the 
Atlas includes the most reliable information available about 
pollution sources, resource distribution, and current 
environmental conditions. 
The Puget Sound Pollutant Loading study focused on 
identification of historic and recent data about the loading of 
contaminants, from both point and nonpoint sources, to the 
estuary. The study provides a basis for using the limited 
information which now exists, and for determining where 
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