Who We Are
About Us
For over 30 years, Communities for a Healthy Bay (CHB) has brought people together to protect and restore Commencement Bay and the waters of the South Sound. As a hub of commercial shipping, industry, recreation, and cultural heritage, these waters are essential to the health of our community, economy, and environment. However, they also face serious threats from industrial pollution, toxic Superfund sites, stormwater runoff, and the growing impacts of climate change.
Our work ensures that both people and nature can thrive by fighting for clean water, environmental justice, and lasting protections for the diverse communities and species that depend on these waters.
Our Mission
To protect Commencement Bay, the waters of the South Sound, and the diversity of life they sustain.
Our Vision
We envision a future where clean water, fresh air, and a healthy environment are accessible to all. Rooted in environmental justice and social equity, we empower communities to create lasting change. Together, we are building a resilient, thriving Puget Sound where people and nature flourish.
Our Core Values
At CHB, our work is driven by passion, grounded in science, and strengthened by collaboration. These values guide everything we do:
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A thriving environment is essential for community well-being. We work to protect and restore our waters, ensuring a healthy legacy for future generations.
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We make decisions based on clear, accurate science to safeguard our waterways and communities. Transparency and evidence-based solutions are at the heart of our work.
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Listening, educating, and collaborating with our diverse community makes us stronger. Every voice matters in the fight for clean water and environmental protection.
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We stand up for policies that protect our environment and hold polluters accountable. Our work ensures that regulations safeguard both people and nature.
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Environmental justice means addressing the disproportionate burden of pollution on vulnerable communities. We work to challenge systemic harm and push for a future where everyone has access to a clean, safe environment.
How We Take Action
CHB’s main advocacy goal is to protect and restore Commencement Bay and South Puget Sound by focusing on three key areas:
Influencing Policy Decisions
Engaging the Community
Holding Polluters Accountable
A History of Commencement Bay: Industry, Pollution, and Restoration
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For thousands of years, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians lived along the shores of Commencement Bay, relying on its abundant salmon, shellfish, and clean waters for sustenance and cultural practices. The bay’s estuaries and tideflats provided rich fishing grounds and fertile land, forming the foundation of their way of life.
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With the arrival of European settlers and the expansion of railroads and shipping, Commencement Bay rapidly transformed into an industrial hub. By the late 1800s, Tacoma became known as the “City of Destiny,” fueled by timber mills, shipbuilding, oil refineries, and chemical manufacturing. The Port of Tacoma, established in 1918, grew into one of the largest on the West Coast, bringing increased maritime activity but also widespread industrial pollution.
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Throughout the 20th century, heavy industries along the bay—including the ASARCO smelter, pulp and paper mills, and metal recycling plants—discharged untreated waste, chemicals, and heavy metals directly into the water. The burning of fossil fuels and manufacturing of chemicals released toxic air pollutants, while stormwater runoff carried industrial waste into Puget Sound. By the mid-1900s, Commencement Bay was one of the most polluted waterways in the United States, with extensive contamination of its sediment, water, and surrounding lands.
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Recognizing the severe environmental degradation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Commencement Bay and its tideflats as a Superfund site in 1983. This marked the beginning of large-scale remediation efforts to remove toxic sediments, monitor pollution levels, and implement restoration projects. Cleanup efforts targeted contaminants like arsenic, lead, PCBs, and petroleum byproducts, which had built up in the bay over decades.
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In response to the pollution crisis, local organizations, environmental groups, and the Puyallup Tribe pushed for stronger environmental protections. The City of Tacoma, along with state and federal agencies, led significant cleanup efforts, including restoring the Thea Foss Waterway, which was once heavily contaminated. Tribal leadership played a crucial role in advocating for restored salmon habitat, pollution prevention, and the enforcement of clean water laws.
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By the early 2000s, the cleanup of key Superfund sites led to improved water quality and habitat restoration, but major challenges remained. Industrial pollution, stormwater runoff, and urbanization continued to introduce new contaminants into the bay. Additionally, the effects of climate change and ocean acidification began to impact Puget Sound’s marine life, including struggling salmon populations and endangered orcas.
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While significant progress has been made, Commencement Bay and South Puget Sound still face threats from industrial expansion, pollution, and climate change. Eight Superfund sites remain in various stages of cleanup, and stormwater runoff from industrial and residential areas continues to be a major source of pollution.
Commencement Bay’s history is one of transformation, exploitation, and resilience. From its origins as a sacred waterway for the Puyallup Tribe to its decades of industrial pollution and ongoing cleanup efforts, the bay remains a symbol of both environmental challenge and hope. Protecting it requires continued action, advocacy, and a commitment to a healthier, more just future for all.