CAMANO ISLAND, Wash. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources has returned to Camano Island to again remove creosote-coated pilings carried by the tide into Elger Bay. KING-TV reports in 2009, the DNR pulled 100 tons of creosote-coated pilings from the area. Aquatic Restoration manager for DNR’s Aquatics Division Chris Robertson said last week that infrastructure has broken down over time and the pilings end up along Washington shorelines. Creosote was used for over a century to protect wood pilings in the salt water of Puget Sound. Creosote contains hundreds and sometimes thousands of chemicals, including known carcinogens. Since 2003, the DNR has removed more than 54 million pounds of creosote pilings from Puget Sound.
State again removing tons of toxic debris from Camano Island
