This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1930. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could fund a cleanup — and recover costs already spent.

Why Historical Insurance Policies May Be Accessible

Pre-1986 Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies were occurrence-based and did not contain an effective pollution exclusion in Washington. If contamination occurred while those policies were active, those historical insurance carriers may still have a legal obligation to fund the cleanup costs, even if the business closed or the property changed hands.

Contamination at this former plywood mill originated from industrial operations that began more than five decades before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were standard and lacked effective pollution exclusions. The documented remediation record — soil excavation and offsite disposal, demolition of industrial infrastructure, gasoline UST removal, hazardous waste disposal, capping of two contaminated cells, and continuing groundwater monitoring — represents a substantial cost trail tied directly to pre-1986 releases. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies during Fort Vancouver Plywood's long operating history before 1986 may remain obligated to contribute to both the remediation costs already incurred and the ongoing monitoring and maintenance obligations.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful coverage claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage. Restorical then manages the claim, including accounting, to ensure the cleanup is funded in a timely manner.