This property has a documented history as an industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1950. 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 decades of industrial operations — including sawmills, a foundry, and paper manufacturing — that began in the 1950s and ran continuously through the early 1980s, placing the full history of contaminating activity before 1986. With upland parcels still subject to ongoing Contaminated Media Management Plans, Oregon DEQ actively finalizing a new Prospective Purchaser Agreement for the creek and slough parcels, and further investigation and remediation of sediment contamination yet to come, the future cleanup and long-term management costs this property still faces represent a substantial obligation that historical pre-1986 carriers may be required to fund.

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.