US, Tribes Settle Portland Pollution Case With Industry (1)

The government, several tribes, and Oregon have reached a $36 million cleanup agreement with more than 20 companies and other entities owning facilities that allegedly polluted Portland’s Willamette River and surrounding area with oil and hazardous substances.

The river, its shoreline, and nearby Swan Island Lagoon were contaminated with lead, mercury, and other pollutants that seeped into the soil and groundwater, the plaintiffs said.

The defendants include companies producing a variety of products such as railcars, gas, cement, oil, and metal. They also included the City of Portland, the Port of Portland, and electric utility PacifiCorp.

The first agreement addressed ...