DID YOU KNOW

You can view the final plans for the future of the Ascon Site on our website here.

Following the completion of the cleanup work and installation of an environmental cap, the property will be fenced open space. The Site will be planted with drought-tolerant, flowering vegetation native to California, with residential-quality fencing featuring decorative block pilasters and ornamental metal along Magnolia and Hamilton streets. The fence design was reviewed by the City of Huntington Beach Design Review Board and later approved by the Huntington Beach City Council in 2018.

The Ascon Site will be maintained, including regular inspections and maintenance of the environmental cover and vegetation, environmental monitoring of groundwater and soils. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) inspects the environmental cap construction before approving it as complete and conducts inspections as needed during its ongoing maintenance.

 

Pit F tent dismantling

SITEWIDE ACTIVITIES

  • MAINTENANCE: Regular maintenance will be conducted within the Site and around the perimeter fence areas, including gate areas, as needed, in preparation for the upcoming wet season and annual winterization.

    You may see: Activity in the southwest zone (near channel) as workers replace fencing to maintain Site security. There may be periodic hammering as new fence poles are set in place.

  • PIT F EXCAVATION AND REMOVAL COMPLETED:

    Current work: The Pit F excavation and equipment demobilization were completed at the end of September, with a few remaining pieces of equipment leaving in early October. All Pit F waste was removed for disposal at a permitted Central California landfill.

  • 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.

    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.

  • INSPECTIONS:

    • DTSC continues weekly inspections of Ascon.
    • City of Huntington Beach continues its regular stormwater inspections of Ascon.
    • The Ascon team currently is conducting winterization of the Site, which includes additional stormwater management actions. This can include application of plant-based mulch, fence screen replacement, sandbags and soil sealant. Stormwater mitigation measures are included in stormwater inspections by the City of Huntington Beach.
    • Regular inspections and mitigation actions are conducted by Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District of the onsite detention basins and other areas of the Ascon Site where water may be detained.
  • NEARBY ACTIVITIES: 

    • Odors from the offshore oil spill were reported over the weekend of October 1–3. As oil or tar balls wash up onshore, and as emergency response crews clean up the spill, there may be localized odor.
    • Bonfires in fire pits at Huntington State Beach periodically can generate a noticeable fire or smoky odor at and around Ascon.
    • Please note there currently is a large mural painting project at the AES power facility southwest of Ascon.
    • 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 is continuing work on the Sheet Pile Repair Project on the Huntington Beach Channel, south and southwest of Ascon.

AIR MONITORING

Air monitoring continues both on the Ascon Site and at community locations, which includes dust data at upwind (offsite sources) and downwind stations on the Ascon Site documenting effective dust control measures.

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. Data are 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.”

SAFETY MESSAGE

SEE SOMETHING? HAVE A QUESTION? Call our information line: 714-388-1825

DRONES: The community is asked to not fly drones over the Ascon when there is active work. This could create worker and Site safety issues. We appreciate the community’s assistance by preventing drone flights over sensitive onsite equipment and 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 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.

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.

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