TNC Crews Remove Creosote Pilings From Titlow Beach

On July 28 and 29, 2004, crews working for design-builder Tacoma Narrows Constructors (TNC) removed 16 creosote pilings from the Titlow Beach area in Tacoma.

Removing the pilings was a requirement of a Hydraulic Project Approval permit issued to WSDOT by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as part of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project. Dave Molenaar, Area Habitat Biologist for Fish and Wildlife, explained that the requirement to remove creosote pilings is a common environmental enhancement. "Creosote leaching from treated pilings has been associated with developmental abnormalities in fish larvae," said Molenaar. "We take every opportunity to remove this substance from bodies of water. Any short-term disturbance to sediment or fish habitat caused by removing the pilings will be more than offset by the long-term benefit of removing them as a source of creosote." The pilings removed did not include pilings holding purple martin nesting boxes.

To excavate the pilings, TNC’s crews accessed the shoreline during low tide and used a mini excavator and chain saw to remove them. Once excavated, the pilings were disposed of at a licensed upland disposal facility in Graham.

The task of removing the 16 pilings was one of three mitigation projects required by Fish and Wildlife to offset environmental impacts to the local marine environment while building the new bridge. The two other major projects were to enhance fish habitat with riprap (stones) placed along Toliva Shoal, and to replace the stone bulkhead at Pierce County’s Narrows Park with tree root balls and stumps known as “soft armoring.”

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