Field Work at Ascon Site for Week of May 25, 2020

Field work at the Ascon Landfill Site during the week of May 25 is planned to include:

FIELD ACTIVITY AND AIR MONITORING PAUSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY: The Ascon team honors those we remember on Memorial Day. There was no field activity at Ascon on Friday, May 22, through the Memorial Day holiday, Monday, May 25. Work resumes on Tuesday, May 26. Ascon continues to maintain security on the site. As part of this pause in field activity, DTSC is authorizing Ascon to temporarily modify the air monitoring schedule to allow air quality professionals time with their families.

Pauses in air monitoring include the following dates:

Friday, May 22 – beginning at 7 am

Saturday, May 23

Sunday, May 24

Monday, May 25

Tuesday, May 26 – Field work and air monitoring resumes at 7 am

Learn more about air monitoring conducted for Ascon at Actively Monitoring Air Quality.

NORTH BERM STABILIZATION: The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) directed and provided daily oversight for the emergency repair work to an earthen berm at Ascon. The managed excavation work began on April 21 and was completed May 8, with demobilization completed the week of May 18. More details about this work can be found at Stabilization of North Berm.

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.

INTERIOR: Hydro mulch application in the area adjacent to the treatment zone used during the North Berm repair. Hydro mulch is used both for dust control and as part of stormwater management.

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. 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”.

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.