Ascon Air Quality Monitoring Pause for Labor Day Weekend

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has permitted a brief pause on daily air sampling and monitoring both onsite and at offsite locations to allow our personnel to be with their families over the holiday weekend. The pause will begin Friday, September 3, at approximately 7 a.m. and the air sampling and monitoring will resume at approximately 7 a.m., Tuesday, September 7. There will be no fieldwork or earth movement during this time. The excavation and removal phase for Pit F has concluded and there will be no demobilization activity during this time. Onsite security continues 24/7.

DRONES: The community is asked to not fly drones over the Ascon Site and over the Pit F tent during this work. This could create worker and Site safety issues. We appreciate the community’s assistance by preventing drone flights over the occupied tent structure, sensitive equipment onsite, and moving vehicles and workers conducting work onsite, as well as the power lines along the perimeter of Ascon.

ENTRANCE AND EXIT GATES: The community is asked to keep a safe distance from both entrance and exit gates at Ascon, and refrain from parking, walking, or standing in these areas. The exit gate on Magnolia Street may open unexpectedly for departing vehicles during Pit F work. There will be a flag person at the gate when vehicles are departing, as a public safety practice.

PEDESTRIANS: Pedestrians have been observed walking next to Ascon along Magnolia and Hamilton streets next to the concrete fence base where there currently is no sidewalk. We encourage pedestrians to use the sidewalks on the east side of Magnolia and the north side of Hamilton to avoid walking near or in front of entrance and exit gates.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING: Work at Ascon is being conducted under Site safety protocols regarding COVID-19 and ongoing protocols and procedures to maintain job safety. These practices apply to air quality professionals and other team members who may be outside the fence conducting work. We ask for the community’s support of these safety practices by maintaining physical distancing to allow these professionals to focus on their work and stay safe.