Field work at the Ascon Landfill Site during the week of May 11 is planned to include:
REGION-WIDE ODOR ON MAY 7: The Ascon team responded to callers concerned about odor the afternoon of Thursday, May 7, and our team worked with DTSC and SCAQMD while they investigated the source of the odor. Representatives from both agencies concluded the odor was not originating from Ascon. The Huntington Beach Fire Department reported they were responding to and investigating a large fuel spill in the Laguna Beach area that created odor noticed in multiple cities.
NORTH BERM STABILIZATION: The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is overseeing emergency repair work to an earthen berm at Ascon. The managed excavation work began on April 21, with incremental amounts of berm material removed each day per DTSC direction and placed into a covered treatment zone within the Ascon site.
The excavation phase for the North Berm repair work was completed on Friday, May 8. During the week of May 11, there will continue to be activity at the North Berm to place cover materials, install stormwater controls, and demobilize equipment used during the work.
DTSC continues to provide oversight. Air quality professionals continue to monitor the Site perimeter and offsite community air monitoring. More details about this work can be found at Stabilization of North Berm. Daily updates will continue to be provided during the demobilization phase of this work.
What you may see:
- Workers entering the Ascon site prior to 7 a.m. for tailgate safety briefings and health screenings.
- Workers in appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for this specific work. This includes hard hat, steel toe boots, safety vest, safety glasses, face masks and/or face shields. All workers may add additional PPE at their discretion and are provided with all necessary equipment and hygiene supplies to conduct the work safely.
- Cleaning of equipment such as excavators, skid steer, water trucks, manlift, dump truck, and equipment to apply odor suppressant foams and mists.
SAFETY MESSAGE: Work at Ascon is being conducted under strict safety protocols regarding COVID-19, which among other actions include restrictions on Site entrance, health and safety screening, a fulltime onsite health and safety officer, adherence to hygiene practices, and physical distancing. These practices also apply to air quality professionals and other team members who may be outside the fence or at air monitoring locations in the community. 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.
SITEWIDE: Regular inspections are conducted by Orange County Vector Control of the onsite detention basins and other areas of the Ascon site where water may be detained. These inspections typically are conducted monthly, and the latest inspection was conducted on Monday, May 4. Active mitigation measures by Vector Control are protective of the community, as well as onsite workers, to prevent mosquitoes and other pests.
SITEWIDE: Stormwater management is subject to inspection by the City stormwater inspector. Ascon conducts stormwater inspections in advance of forecasted rain as an ongoing essential activity which continues under the current State executive order. Rain-related activity may include pumping out stormwater from s ponded areas onsite to other areas of the Ascon site. There will be continued inspection and maintenance of stormwater management measures to maintain compliance with Ascon’s stormwater permit.
- Learn more about stormwater management at Ascon on AsconHB.com under the Our Safety Commitment tab. Click on “Learn More” to read the explainer.
SITEWIDE AND OFFSITE: Air quality monitoring continues, both on the Ascon site and at offsite community locations.
For more information about Ascon’s air monitoring and data sharing, please visit Actively Monitoring Air Quality on this website. This data also is submitted to DTSC and shared on their online document archive, Envirostor. To view archived air monitoring results posted by DTSC on Envirostor, click on “Community Involvement Documents” and scroll to “Updates and Information”.
INTERIOR: Inspection of SCAQMD Rule 1166 treatment cell will be conducted to maintain treatment cell integrity and compliance with permit conditions.
EASTERN ZONE: Regular inspection of the “Pit F” tent will be conducted.
SITEWIDE: Weed abatement will be conducted as needed throughout the Site as part of stormwater management and fire protection. Plant overgrowth is removed near silt fences as part of necessary weed abatement, leaving roots in place to help prevent erosion.
Equipment used for this work may include:
- Small power equipment, such as a weed wacker or mower.
SITEWIDE: Dust and odor mitigation measures continue to be implemented. This includes applying a non-toxic odor suppressant material in excavated and graded zones which forms a hard clay-based shell, covering excavated materials with reinforced plastic covers, and also use of a water truck to mist interior roadways and areas where field work is occurring. Learn more about these ongoing activities and other activities conducted to maintain a safe cleanup project under the Our Safety Commitment tab.
SITEWIDE: Soil sealant or other dust control products will be applied to access and interior roads.
HAMILTON AND MAGNOLIA STREETS: Workers will conduct routine cleanup and removal of trash and debris thrown at and between the concrete base for the 16-foot fence around the outside of Ascon.
SITEWIDE: Supplies needed for the North Berm repair work and for ongoing Site maintenance are expected for delivery.
SITEWIDE: 24-hour onsite security continues.
Have a Question or Concern?
Please contact the Ascon community information line at 714-388-1825 or email [email protected]. If there is a potential emergency, please call 911. Sign up for AsconAlert, an opt-in community alert system for the Ascon project here.
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