This property has a documented history as an industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1914. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could help fund the ongoing and future cleanup under Oregon DEQ oversight.

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 Oregon — and those policies may provide coverage that remains enforceable today. 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.

The contamination at this property originated from commercial and industrial operations dating to at least 1914 — including concrete and steel pipe manufacturing from 1942, trucking terminal operations from 1965 to 1977, and an Oregon DEQ discharge violation in 1976 — all well before 1986. The stormwater source control evaluation, Columbia Slough sediment cleanup fund obligation, and ongoing compliance work required under the active Prospective Purchaser Agreement consent order represent substantial costs this property still faces, and pre-1986 carriers whose policies were in effect during those decades of industrial operations may be obligated to fund that work going forward.

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.