Why can Whatcom County, or anyone else, dredge Swift Creek like they used to?
Dredging is not prohibited, but there is no more room along Swift Creek for the dredged materials, as was done in the past. Because there is no room to dispose the sediment along the creek, dredged sediments would need to be transported to an appropriate disposal facility. This would be expensive because of the high volumes of dredged asbestos-containing sediment that would need to be transported and disposed. Also, since activities that disturb Swift Creek sediments and soil can cause asbestos fibers to get into the air, dredging and handling practices must protect workers and nearby community members. Such practices add to the cost of dredging.
