DID YOU KNOW

Stormwater is the surface water generated from rain events. Stormwater management requirements and inspections are ongoing, even during periods of no rain. Ascon’s monitoring results show that stormwater management is effective. Read more in Ascon’s stormwater management explainer. Stormwater management controls implemented at Ascon include:

  • Plant-based (wood) mulch
  • Posi-Shell®, a natural clay and plant fiber slurry that hardens over soils
  • Sandbags, silt fence, and soil coverings or sealants
  • Plant-based fiber rolls

Ascon’s 2021-2022 Storm Water Annual Report in compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board’s Construction General Permit (CGP) is now online. You can follow the steps outlined below to see the latest report through the Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System:

  • On the homepage, click “Public User Menu”
  • Click “Storm Water Reports – Construction”
  • Click “Search for Submitted Construction Reports”
  • Finally, fill out the reporting period, program type, region and site name fields as shown below and hit “search”
Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System

SITEWIDE ACTIVITIES

  • PROJECT STATUS: DTSC and the Ascon team continue technical discussions and planning for future pilot testing and final cleanup phases. During this time, the Ascon Site regular maintenance activities and inspections remain ongoing, and onsite and offsite air monitoring continues 24/7. DTSC will announce when there are decisions on the final cleanup plan and will hold public meetings.

  • MAINTENANCE: Regular maintenance is conducted within the Site and around the perimeter fence areas, including gate areas. Weed abatement around the Ascon Site to prepare for summer was conducted and inspected by the City of Huntington Beach Fire Department.

  • INSPECTIONS:

    • DTSC 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.
    • City of Huntington Beach continues its regular stormwater inspections of Ascon. Ascon remains in compliance with stormwater pollution prevention requirements. The last stormwater inspection was conducted with the City of Huntington Beach on August 25.
    • 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.
  • 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.

  • 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

Air monitoring continues 24/7 both on the Ascon Site and at community locations, which includes dust data at upwind 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. 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 quality checks — 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 start 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.

Recent Posts

SEE ALL UPDATES