This property has a documented history as an industrial and manufacturing facility predating 1986. 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 in the Columbia Slough stems from decades of industrial, commercial, and agricultural operations that discharged pollutants into the waterway well before 1986. With only three sub-site cleanups completed under Oregon DEQ oversight, the remaining investigation, sediment remediation, stormwater infrastructure work, and long-term monitoring represent substantial costs this property still faces — and historical pre-1986 carriers whose policies were in effect during those decades of discharge 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.