RES 25-002RESOLUTION NO. 25-002
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Camas,
Washington relating to the Agreed Order and Remedial Investigation
Work Plan development process by and between the Department of
Ecology and Georgia Pacific Consumer Operations.
WHEREAS, the City of Camas (City) has been closely following the Agreed Order and
Remedial Investigation Work Plan development process between the Department of Ecology
(Ecology) and Georgia Pacific Consumer Operations, LLP (GP); and
WHEREAS, the City understands the clean-up process is a legally binding order
between Ecology and GP that is outside of the City's direct control and will likely take decades
to come to fruition; and
WHEREAS, the City nonetheless remains invested in the process and desires the best
possible outcome for the Camas community; and
WHEREAS, the City deeply values the role the GP Camas Mill has played in our history
and recognizes its continued significance as an economic driver; and
WHEREAS, the City is mindful that as we look to the future it is also critical that we take
steps today to secure the broadest range of possibilities for this key property, which occupies
approximately 660 acres in the heart of the City of Camas, roughly 7% of the City's current total
land area; and
WHEREAS, much of the surrounding property to the GP Camas Mill site is residential
and includes mixed-use and commercial property and parks, is one of the primary gateways into
the City, is immediately adjacent to our historic and vibrant downtown and further is also located
on the shores of the Washougal and Columbia Rivers; and
WHEREAS, given the site's legacy and its importance to our community, it is imperative
to ensure the cleanup efforts are fully protective of human health and the environment and
preserve future private and public redevelopment options including the flexibility needed to
Resolution No. 25-002 Page -2
support a broad range of future uses from residential and commercial development to natural and
recreational spaces; and
WHEREAS, per the City's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning map, the site is currently
zoned "Heavy Industrial," which supports industrial uses such as GPs current operations but also
includes a wide range of Commercial and recreational uses which, for example, would currently
allow new retail amenities, restaurants, medical clinics, professional offices, schools, and
recreational amenities including parks, trails, libraries, and museums, among others: and
WHEREAS, based on the City's understanding of Ecology's cleanup and decision-
making process, we believe moving towards an unrestricted cleanup level would ultimately be
warranted based not only on the current zoning but the desire to complement and enhance the
surrounding community, provide for the greatest flexibility of uses in the future, and to safeguard
public health and environmental quality; and
WHEREAS, by contrast, an "industrial cleanup" designation could significantly limit the
site's future development potential and likely preclude residential or natural area uses, restricting
the ability to adapt to changing community needs; and
WHEREAS, following city staff review of the current draft Work Plans for the site the
City, by letter dated January 10, 2025 to the Department of Ecology, clearly indicated support for
utilizing MTCA Method B for both soil and groundwater and noted other specific concerns
associated with cleanup levels, all of which the Council supports by means to preserve the ability
for both GP and the City to establish a future vision for the site to support diverse and innovative
redevelopment that benefits our local community and the wider region as well as being
supportive of the goals and guidelines of the Shoreline Management Act; and
Resolution No. 25-002 Page -3
WHEREAS, the City understands the defined Cleanup Process through the State is
complicated and will take many years, if not decades, to complete, especially on an active,
profitable business site that GP intends to continue operating into the foreseeable future, with the
process by necessity including the input of our community and other critical stakeholders
including indigenous peoples, such as the Yakama Nation; and
WHEREAS, acknowledging that there are many in the community following the process
and as such the City will continue to stay informed and fully participate in the public
participation plans otherwise mandated as Ecology and GP pursue final resolution of these
important matters, with the anticipation that Ecology will look directly to the City as the
authority concerning Comprehensive Planning and Zoning designations, as well as the local
agency having concmTent jurisdiction over water resources, including drinking water,
stormwater, shorelines, and other environmental resources within the City limits; and
WHEREAS, the City remains committed to supporting Georgia Pacific and Ecology in
this crucial endeavor through the years to come in acknowledgment of GP's continued operations
which have been, and remain, an important part of the Camas community while at the same time
providing necessary input to allow for the continued economic vitality of our city, ensuring the
appropriate balancing of our community's aspirations for a vibrant and sustainable future;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Camas as
follows:
Section I
The City Council of the City of Camas hereby adopts the foregoing findings and
conclusions as an expression of the ongoing commitment and support of the Agreed Order and
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Remedial Investigation Work Plan development process between the Department of Ecology and
Georgia Pacific Consumer Operations, LLP in furtherance of assuring that our city is engaged to
the extent necessary to allow development of the GP Mill site consistent with the goals and uses
of the City's adopted Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations.
ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Camas, this 18th day of
February 2025.
AP~ as to form: ·.~
City Attorney --=
SIGNED:~~ Mayor
ATTEST: a .... ~::::s;
Clerk