Nearly a century of industrial activity made Seattle’s Duwamish River one of the most toxic waste sites in the U.S. In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency designated it a Superfund Site, mandating a cleanup. In response, the Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC) was founded that same year to coordinate communication with all responsible parties and the community, ensuring accessible information about the cleanup while reflecting residents’ priorities. The Duwamish Valley communities continue to face pollution threats and the legacy’s social and health impacts. Life expectancy in some neighborhoods is eight years shorter than the Seattle average, and about 21% of the population lives below the poverty line. Beyond monitoring the cleanup, DRCC also advocates for clean air policies, engages youth, and runs efforts to improve affordable housing and economic development. With community input, DRCC battles for equitable policies and enhances the quality of life in Duwamish Valley.
Duwamish River Community Coalition volunteers advocating for their community.
The Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC) is a small organization with eight full-time staff members that annually engages approximately 1,500 community members. They focus on environmental justice issues, particularly addressing pollution and health disparities related to the Duwamish River’s Superfund status. A key initiative involves collaboration with the University of Washington and the National Institutes of Health to monitor indoor air quality and reduce asthma symptoms in local children by providing families with affordable air filters. DRCC has also partnered with community-based organizations to hold meetings about solutions for flood-impacted neighbors, coordinate investments in affordable housing, and prevent the displacement of residents due to climate change and urban growth. By elevating the voices of those impacted by Duwamish River pollution and environmental injustices, DRCC aims to foster a clean, healthy, and equitable environment for both people and wildlife.
DRCC staffers and partners at a Port of Seattle event. Photo: Duwamish River Community Coalition