EPA Superfund Site
BRADFORD ISLAND
OR | EPA ID ORSFN1002228
About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, the Bradford Island Superfund site is considered “Insufficient Data to make a Human Exposure evaluation” (HEID) because of a newly identified exposure pathway with the addition of a new Operable Unit (OU) titled “OU3: Cascades Island.” After a review of historical records for the site the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with the concurrence of EPA created a new OU with the need of a full remedial investigation of soil and groundwater. Contaminants of concern include polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), lead (Pb), and volatile organic carbons (VOCs). The site was previously categorized as insufficient data to determine human exposure control status (HEID) while waiting on the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) human health risk exposure report for the Site. The addition of OU3 will not impact the evaluations of the other OUs, as this is a different island. EPA uses this Human Exposure status when there is a lack of evidence to suggest that actual or reasonably anticipated human exposures are occurring and that those exposures are above acceptable risk-based levels. The planned activities to collect sufficient information to evaluate this new exposure pathway and/or contaminants(s) are a full remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) with soil sampling of work areas with an evaluation of worker exposure risk, as this is an industrial area. EPA and USACE currently anticipates that there will be sufficient data to make a Human Exposure evaluation by August 2026 because that is the anticipated finish date of the remedial investigation. In addition, USACE is currently planning a non-time critical removal action (NTCRA) for portions of the upland Operable Unit 1 (OU1), as well as a final remedy selection for upland soils and groundwater following the supplemental remedial investigation and feasibility study (SRI/FS) that is ongoing. A remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) is currently being conducted for the in-river portion of the Site, OU2. Land use controls are in place in the identified upland portions of the site and a fish advisory through Oregon health authority (OHA) is on place for the in-river portion of the Site. Out of an abundance of caution, if you live near this site residents can observe the OHA fish advisory and limit the consumption of resident fish caught in the area. This does not necessarily mean that unacceptable exposures are occurring, however. The USACE is coordinating with Oregon Health Authority and Washington Department of Ecology to post warning signs around the river and informational posters and pamphlets at the Bonneville Dam Visitor Center. The USACE has set up a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) that regularly meets to inform the public of the work at eh Site and to address question and concerns from the public. Information on the Bradford island RAB can be found at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Columbia-River/Bonneville-Lock-Dam/Bradford-Island/Restoration-Advisory-Board/