Monsanto Settles $160 Million Lawsuit Over Duwamish River Pollution

SEATTLE – In a significant resolution to an eight-year legal dispute, Monsanto has agreed to pay Seattle $160 million for its role in polluting the Duwamish River with toxic chemicals. This settlement, announced by the city attorney's office, marks the largest single-city payout by Monsanto to date. The Duwamish River, which flows through Seattle and into Puget Sound, has been heavily contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) due to stormwater runoff. Seattle's lawsuit, filed in 2016, accused Monsanto of knowingly manufacturing products containing PCBs despite being aware of their harmful effects on wildlife and humans. The city claimed that Monsanto misled government entities about the toxicity of PCBs, asserting that the company falsely stated these compounds were not widely present in the environment. Despite the settlement, Monsanto did not admit to any wrongdoing or legal violations. As part of the agreement, Monsanto is required to pay the settlement amount by August 4. The funds will assist Seattle Public Utilities in enhancing efforts to protect the Duwamish River, which is designated as a Superfund Site. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington Department of Ecology have mandated the construction of a stormwater treatment facility to address PCB contamination, with estimated costs around $27 million. The settlement will enable the city to further its pollution control initiatives, including expanding programs to identify and eliminate sources of contamination. Seattle officials expressed optimism that the financial support will aid in mitigating the environmental impact of PCBs in the river.