homeWelcome, sign in or click here to subscribe.login
     


 

 

Architecture & Engineering


print  email to a friend  reprints add to mydjc  

February 10, 2025

National Finalist: Gold Award
Water Resources

Photo from ACEC Washington [enlarge]
The restoration created off-channel marshes, intertidal zones and riparian habitats, and modernized the shipyard’s infrastructure.

KPFF Consulting Engineers

Harbor Island Habitat Restoration

Vigor Industrial

The Southwest Yard Restoration Project at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island revitalized a 2.7-acre section of the shipyard into a crucial habitat refuge, covering 10% of Vigor’s 27-acre industrial site. Completed for $49 million, the project is located near the Lower Duwamish River and restores vital habitat for Chinook salmon, migratory birds and other wildlife impacted by decades of industrial pollution. Historically, Harbor Island was home to tidal mudflats essential for salmon migration, but urban development and industrial activities replaced these habitats with steep waterfront walls.

When Vigor acquired the shipyard, it took responsibility for environmental damage under the Superfund program’s Natural Resources Damages Assessment (NRDA). Rather than paying into an environmental fund, Vigor chose to remove outdated infrastructure and convert the space into an aquatic habitat. The restoration created off-channel marshes, intertidal zones and riparian habitats to support the recovery of the injured ecosystem. This innovative solution met NRDA requirements while also modernizing the shipyard’s infrastructure.

The project included reconfigured piers and a revitalized drydock slip with offshore mooring dolphins, designed to handle more than 18 feet of tidal change, allowing the shipyard to maintain its industrial operations without compromising the habitat. Additionally, a state-of-the-art stormwater treatment system was installed, meeting current Department of Ecology and King County standards, to manage runoff across the entire 27-acre site.

The Harbor Island restoration has been recognized for its environmental impact, especially its role in supporting the Duwamish River ecosystem and providing essential habitat for juvenile salmon. It serves as a precedent for other urban industrial sites, demonstrating how habitat restoration and industrial infrastructure can coexist. The project has been featured in ASCE Civil Engineering magazine, presented at the 2022 Ports Conference and received recognition from the Associated General Contractors of Washington.


Other Stories:



Email or user name:
Password:
 
Forgot password? Click here.