DID YOU KNOW
Since work began in January 2019 on the activities outlined in the RAP, approximately a third of the excavation work has been completed.
The cleanup plan includes the removal and offsite disposal of impacted soils from the former Pit F, which was completed in 2021. The remainder of the excavation and grading of waste and soils will be conducted, and an engineered multi-layered environmental cap will be installed. After the final excavation and grading have been completed, the environmental cap will be constructed with geomembrane and clean soils, and planted with native, drought-tolerant plants.
SITEWIDE ACTIVITIES
AIR MONITORING: DTSC approved a pause in air monitoring starting at 7:00 a.m. on November 18 through 7:00 a.m. on November 28 during Thanksgiving week to allow our team time with their families.
PROJECT STATUS: The Ascon team submitted workplans to DTSC on October 12 and 14 for their technical review in preparation for the onsite pilot testing phase, in accordance with the agency’s direction on September 8. DTSC’s review and final approval of the workplans will help determine the next steps toward completion of the cleanup. It is anticipated the pilot testing phase will begin in early 2023—pending DTSC approval and receipt of permits—following public notification and a DTSC-hosted community meeting.
During this time, the Ascon Site regular maintenance activities and inspections by multiple agencies remain ongoing, and onsite and offsite air monitoring continue 24/7. DTSC continues weekly onsite and offsite inspections and meetings with the Ascon project manager.
MAINTENANCE: Regular maintenance is conducted within the Site and around the perimeter fence areas, including gate areas.
INSPECTIONS:
- DTSC is the lead regulatory agency for the Ascon project and conducts weekly inspections at Ascon and independent air monitoring checks in nearby neighborhoods. Their inspection reports can be found on the online DTSC database, Envirostor.
- The City of Huntington Beach continues its regular stormwater inspections of Ascon. Ascon remains in compliance with stormwater pollution prevention requirements. The last inspection occurred on October 20.
- 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. Active mitigation measures by Vector Control are protective of the community, as well as onsite workers, to prevent mosquitoes and other pests. The last Vector Control inspection was conducted on November 17.
SECURITY: 24-hour onsite security continues. Security is not always visible at the entrance gates. In addition to 24/7 onsite security, there are regular visits by air quality technicians, Site inspectors, and Site maintenance personnel. Unannounced visitors without official business or agency oversight of Ascon are not permitted to enter the Site. Trespassers will be reported to the Huntington Beach Police Department and DTSC.
You may see: You may see flashlights or headlights from a limited number of vehicles at night conducting inspections and providing security at the 38-acre Site.
In an emergency: If you see or hear something that appears urgent, please call the Huntington Beach Police Department at 911 first, then the Ascon community information line, 714-388-1825. Calls to the Ascon information line are automatically logged and relayed by text and email to the Ascon team.
NEARBY ACTIVITIES:
- Bonfires in beach fire pits at Huntington State Beach can generate a smoky odor, sometimes noticeable in the Ascon neighborhood.
- There are automobile storage activities that may generate noise or dust unrelated to Ascon at the former tank farm property, south of Ascon and adjacent to Magnolia Street.
- Orange County Public Works has planned work on the Sheet Pile Repair Project in the Huntington Beach Channel, south and southwest of Ascon, and the Talbert Channel, east of Ascon, which is expected to be an intermittent activity over the next two years.
AIR MONITORING
Where to find 24/7 air monitoring data and live stream weather: Sitewide and neighborhood air monitoring data and live streaming weather conditions from the Ascon site are found on the Actively Monitoring Air Quality page on asconhb.com. Analytical data are first analyzed by a certified outside laboratory, then validated, and then submitted to DTSC and shared on their online document database, Envirostor. To view archived air monitoring results posted by DTSC on Envirostor — including weekly field inspections by DTSC that include air monitoring observations — click on “Community Involvement Documents” and scroll to “Updates and Information.”
SAFETY MESSAGE |
---|
SEE SOMETHING? HAVE A QUESTION? Call our information line: 714-388-1825 or email us at [email protected]
DRONES: Drone flights over Ascon can create worker and Site safety issues. Ascon recently experienced a drone crash into a perimeter power line, flown by a private flyer. Please don’t fly drones over sensitive onsite equipment and the power lines along the perimeter of Ascon. We appreciate the community’s assistance.
ENTRANCE AND EXIT GATES: Entering the Ascon site is prohibited to those who are not authorized. 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 gates on Magnolia Street and Hamilton Avenue may open unexpectedly for workers conducting air monitoring and site inspections, as well as supply delivery and removal. Signage outside Ascon also provides reminders that there is periodic vehicle entry and exit in the gate areas.
PEDESTRIANS: Your safety is important! Pedestrians have been observed walking next to Ascon along Magnolia and Hamilton streets (adjacent to the concrete fence base where there currently is no sidewalk). With the resumption of in-person school, we ask families to talk about this with those who may walk these areas on their way to and from school. We encourage pedestrians to observe public pathway signage and use the sidewalks on the east side of Magnolia and the north side of Hamilton.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING: Work at Ascon continues to be 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.
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.
Stay Informed
Please subscribe for email updates.
Information provided through this website may be shared with the Ascon team, Ascon consultants, Ascon responsible parties and government agencies. Read our Privacy Policy.