On July 9, 2019, representatives of the Responsible Parties cleaning up the Ascon Landfill site in Huntington Beach briefed officials on the implementation of health and safety enhancements at the site. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) suspended cleanup activities at the site after community members lodged hundreds of odor complaints. Work will resume once the Responsible Parties implement the health and safety enhancements required by DTSC. (DTSC’s letter describing the enhancements is attached.)

Officials in attendance included Huntington Beach Mayor Erik Peterson, other city officials, Assemblymember Cottie Petri-Norris’ staff members, Huntington Beach City School District and Huntington Beach Union High School District administrators, DTSC and South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).

The representatives described enhancements they have completed, and enhancements in the process of being implemented or designed. They are already using more effective odor suppressants on contaminated, bare soil. They and AQMD staff have sampled onsite concrete rubble for asbestos and found none. They have increased the on-site monitoring frequency to 24 hours a day, seven days a week for chemicals that might travel through the air in dust or vapor.

The representatives have also committed to expand their air monitoring network to include mobile stations at Edison High School, Eader Elementary School, Edison Community Park and on two residential streets by September 30, 2019.

Ongoing air monitoring at the site has not found any chemicals above levels that present a public health concern. The health protective monitoring levels are set to protect members of the community, including children and other vulnerable people.

The representatives will meet with DTSC, AQMD and other oversight agencies on July 16, 2019, to discuss their proposed actions to implement other enhancements. DTSC and other officials asked the representatives to provide timelines for implementing required enhancements.

At the request of officials for the city of Huntington Beach, members of the government organizations at the briefing agreed to participate in two teams. One team will focus on coordinating government agencies to facilitate implementation of health and safety enhancements. The other team will help the representatives provide community information on the actions the representatives are taking to implement the enhancements.

For additional information: Members of the community may contact DTSC Public Participation Specialist Stacey Lear at (714) 484-5354 or [email protected].

View a PDF of this statement.

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