Creosote-Treated Wood in Aquatic Environments: Technical Review and Use Recommendations

In the fall of 2004, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) contracted with Stratus Consulting to conduct an independent, third party review of treated wood utilization in aquatic environments. This review is meant to support developing or updating NMFS guidelines for the use of treated wood along the Pacific Coast of the United States. The contract was awarded for copper-treated wood products and later amended to include a review of creosote-treated products as well. Substantive work on the project was completed in the fall of 2005. These reports are the findings of Stratus Consulting regarding the use of treated wood. They have been subject to peer review and public comment. NMFS may utilize these reports and other available information, as appropriate, to develop or update guidelines on the use of treated wood in aquatic environments. Accordingly, these documents are not NMFS guidelines themselves. 4.1 Sediment total PAH concentrations downstream of newly treated pilings in the Sooke Basin study, as they varied with (a) time and (b) distance