Field Work at Ascon Site for Week of May 18, 2020

Field work at the Ascon Landfill Site during the week of May 18 is planned to include:

REGION-WIDE ODOR FROM RED ALGAE: Residents along the coast and inland from San Diego County to Los Angeles County are noticing an odor due to the recent “red tide” along the coast, which is beginning to die off.  The odor is described as “fishy” or “rotten” and is from decomposing organic material in the ocean water, which generates bacteria growth and also can result in fish die off. As reported in the Los Angeles Times on May 12, “some people are sensitive to the fumes, and may develop rashes or respiratory irritation.”

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 and was completed May 8.

During the week of May 11, a reinforced polyethylene geomembrane was installed over the North Berm slope, which also had been sealed with a long-term cover of Posi-Shell®. The best practices for stormwater management in this area include installation of approximately 3,000 sand bags over the cover and a silt barrier near the perimeter.

DTSC provided oversight during the North Berm excavation work and demobilization phase.  Air quality professionals monitored directly in the work zone, at the Site perimeter and at offsite community air monitors. More details about this work can be found at Stabilization of North Berm.  The final work for demobilization continues during the week of May 18, including re-applying mulch in the work areas around the North Berm.

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.

HAMILTON AVENUE: The water-filled orange traffic barriers (k-rails) will be drained and removed from the street. Workers will be in the street and we ask pedestrians and bicyclists to use the north side of Hamilton Avenue. This work may continue through the week.

What you may see:

• Workers in appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for this specific work.
• Vacuum truck draining water from the traffic barriers, before the barriers are moved into the Ascon site. The water will be spread within the interior of Ascon.
• Workers providing traffic control for public and worker safety.

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 conducting work and 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, with the latest inspection 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 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: Installation of reinforced polyethylene geomembrane over the interior treatment zone (SCAQMD Rule 1166 treatment cell), along with approximately 3,000 sand bags to secure the cover and as part of stormwater management.

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.