INDIANOLA — A helicopter lifts creosote-treated wood from the Doe-Keg-Wats estuary Tuesday near Camp Indianola.

Crews are removing hundreds of treated logs from the the marshland this week as part of a project coordinated by the state Department of Natural Resources and the Suquamish Tribe. The wetland is owned by the tribe and was damaged by a 2003 oil spill. Cleanup of treated wood-debris from the marsh was one of several mitigation projects identified following the spill.

The debris has washed ashore for centuries from around Puget Sound, and includes pilings, planks and railroad ties. Creosote contains petroleum, which can be harmful to marine life, including fish.

Along with providing shoreline habitat, Doe-Keg-Wats — Place of Deer — is an important recreational and cultural site for the Suquamish Tribe.

Check back for a full story on the Doe-Keg-Wats project.