Inactive Western Region TOSC Communities

Inactive Western Region TOSC Communities

Community Group: Chester Street Block Club Association

Site: DC Metals, South Prescott Neighborhood Park Cleanup
Location: Oakland, California
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 6/1/2001
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 9/1/2001

Contaminants: Lead and vinyl chloride

Description: TOSC currently is participating in a series of mediation sessions with community and PRP representatives. The mediation is related to the cleanup of contaminated properties and subsequent development as a neighborhood park. The neighborhood association has filed a Title VI environmental justice complaint against the State of California and the mediation sessions are an attempt to resolve the community's concerns.
Items in Letter of Agreement: Agreed to provide technical support for community during the alternative dispute resolution process, this support includes reviewing investigation and cleanup documents for South Prescott Neighborhood Park and participating in mediation meetings.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

12/3 /2001
TOSC is currently reviewing the feasibility study/cleanup plan and cleanup report.
3 /11/2002
TOSC met with attorneys for EPA and for the community to discuss cleanup of the South Prescott Neighborhood
5 /6 /2002
TOSC discussed cleanup documents and methods with the Division of Toxic Substances Control.
6 /3 /2002
TOSC attended the May 9 mediation session.
7 /22/2002
TOSC attended the June 11 mediation session.
9 /23/2002
TOSC attended the July 17 mediation session.
11/25/2002
TOSC participated in a mediation session on November 20. The session focused on DTSC creating a forum to allow greater community input into the site cleanup process and moving the play structure to protect children from exposure to vinyl chloride.
6 /30/2003
TOSC anticipates participating in a mediation session this summer.
2/04/2004
TOSC is involved in discussion of the final mediation issues. TOSC anticipates meeting in February to address these issues and begin the closure process.
6/20/2004
TOSC assisted the Association in providing input on the location of soil vapor monitors the EPA is going to place in a neighborhood park that was previously contaminated. The EPA intends to install permanent monitors to track possible vinyl chloride contamination in groundwater near the park.
10/11/2004
TOSC sent results of its review of a memo from DTSC to the community summarizing the status of issues related to the community's environmental justice complaint. TOSC also made recommendations to EPA regarding locations for soil gas sampling in the vicinity of the play structure at South Prescott Neighborhood Park . The community requested that EPA collect soil vapor and ambient air samples to determine if park visitors were being exposed to vinyl chloride at the park.
02/01/2005
TOSC submitted revised locations for soil gas sampling in the vicinity of the play structure at South Prescott Neighborhood Park and is awaiting results of the analyses.
05/2005
TOSC reviewed the results for EPA's September 30, 2004 soil vapor sampling.   The results indicate the presence of VOCs in soil vapor but the concentrations exceed EPA's screening levels for only three compounds:   chloroform, PCE, and TCE.  
10/2005
TOSC has agreed to assist the community by reviewing soil vapor, ambient air quality, and groundwater monitoring data when they become available.

Community Group: Alameda Point Collaborative

Site: Alameda Point Naval Base
Location: Alameda, CA
TOSC Contact: Jerry Orlando, jerry.orlando@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-5736
Date TOSC learned about the community: Jan 2003

Contaminants: Undetermined. 18-20 cleanups proceeding at the base

Description: Former naval base housing now leased to the APC as transitional housing for groups in need (homeless, etc). Originally contacted TOSC about a planned cleanup of PAH contaminated soil that occurred in the Spring of 2003.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

10/15/2003
At the request of the Navy project manager in charge of the cleanup, TOSC attended a community open house to answer residents' concerns about health risks and exposures that may have occurred during the cleanup of the PAH contamination.
2/04/2004
The APC contacted TOSC to provide technical assistance and coaching to Resident Councils that have formed to address resident concerns and a more formal way for them to deal with the APC. Environmental issues are among the residents’ concerns. TOSC visited the community in January to meet with APC personnel. Future meetings with the APC board and the residents are planned.
6/20/2004
TOSC will review a site inspection report on environmental conditions in the area of the base containing the APC housing. Comments will be gathered and discussed with the community for presentation at the next RAB meeting that TOSC will attend with community members.
10/11/2004
TOSC summarized the Site Inspection Report and presented the summary to the community. TOSC then attended the BRAC meeting later that day where the report was presented by the consultant that produced it.
02/05/2005
TOSC is preparing to review the final Site Inspection Report for the community.
10/2005
TOSC attended the September RAB meeting where the ATSDR gave a presentation on the Public Health Assessment of the base that they released in 2004. TOSC met with a representative of the APC to discuss the future plans for the base and how that affects the residents of the APC.
 

Community Group: Downtown Southwest Neighborhood Association

Location: South Phoenix, Arizona
TOSC Contact: Stephanie Sanford, stephanie.sanford@oregonstate.edu
541-737-5861
Date TOSC learned about the community: 7/10/2002
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 11/20/2002

Contaminants: air pollutants from traffic, industry, and waste treatment

Description: The community is concerned about the health of its residents particularly as it is affected by air quality and other environmental impacts.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Seek to establish air monitoring and appropriate data collection and analysis within the boundaries of the neighborhood; produce summary educational materials for community members from the technical report, "Environmental Review for Neighborhoods for Justice;" assist the community in tracking the status of air quality permits for entities located in or near the neighborhood.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

8 /23/2002
TOSC received a call from a representative of the community. They had learned about TOSC's services from EPA and wanted to learn more about the program.
10/10/2002
TOSC reviewed environmental reports in order to start learning about neighborhood issues.
10/28/2002
TOSC visited with community members and attended a meeting where consultants presented an environmental assessment of the community. The community discussed their desire for air quality monitoring in the community.
11/18/2002
TOSC discussed the communities interest in air monitoring with representatives from EPA and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
4 /2 /2003
In April, TOSC will provide the community with an outline of the Gerber report summary.
6 /30/2003
TOSC has created a draft summary outline of the Gerber report and is in discussion with community leaders about ways to use the summary. TOSC is also involved in providing educational materials on lead contamination and reviewing air quality monitoring data.
7/28/2003
TOSC gave the community leader three contacts, one from the state and two from the city who expressed an interest in arranging a lead poisoning educational meeting for the citizens. A community meeting is planned.
8/11/2003
TOSC spoke with regulators with the ADEQ about a Clean air Act permit given to an industrial facility that the community believes is negatively afecting air quality.
 
2/04/2004
The community leadership is involved in developing a relationship with new staff at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. They also continue to participate in discussions about a proposed pilot study of air quality. TOSC will assist the community as needed in participating in this process and meeting its goals for improving environmental conditions in their neighborhood.
10/11/2004
TOSC is establishing a relationship with a new community contact after the death of its community leader, Ethel Lane .
02/01/2005
The new community group leader has expressed an interest in working further with TOSC.
05/2005
TOSC met with community members on March 10 and discussed the need for leadership within the community and a range of environmental concerns.   TOSC is talking with community leaders about supporting their efforts in obtaining a CARE grant.
 

Community Group: South Bay Cares

Site: Palos Verdes Landfill
Location: Palos Verdes, California
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu
541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 7/29/2002
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 3/26/2003

Contaminants: Landfill leachate, mixed contaminants

Description: Community is concerned about health effects of developing an old landfill as a golf course. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts are preparing a draft environmental impact report on this proposed development.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Review and comment on the yet to be released environmental impact report and other documents related to the landfill closure.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

11/18/2002
In phone conversations, TOSC has been talking with community members about their concerns and they type of assistance they would like from TOSC. The community's primary concern is leaching of contaminants if a golf course is built on the landfill.
1 /24/2003
TOSC participated in a tour of the Palos Verdes Landfill on January 21. Several community members as well as representatives of the Division of Toxic Substances and Control (DTSC) also participated in tour. An environmental impact report on this development is scheduled for release this month.
2 /7 /2003
TOSC reviewed two assessment reports on the Palos Verdes Landfill prepared by an EPA contractor. Both reports site concerns about groundwater contamination, air emissions, and slope stability at the landfill.
3 /10/2003
TOSC has agreed to review an Environmental Impact Report on behalf of South Bay Cares. The report has been delayed and is expected to be released in late April or May 2003.
5 /7 /2003
TOSC agreed to review analytical data from soil samples that were collected from beneath three trees at the local elementary school. The EIR for the proposed golf course development has not yet been released for public comment.
2/04/2004
TOSC is reviewing the EIR for the proposed golf course. TOSC will discuss its comments with the community in early February. Comments are due to the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department on March 4, 2004.
6/20/2004
TOSC completed review of the EIR in March and provided comments to Los Angeles County. Future work with this community is pending.
02/01/2005
The community is waiting to receive responses to comments on the proposed golf course project.

Community Group: Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group

Site: Portland Harbor
Location: Portland, Oregon
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu
541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 5/2003

Contaminants: Metals, PAHs, pesticides, VOCs

Description: The Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group (CAG) asked TOSC to review the April 17, 2003 field sampling plan which is intended to support site characterization and risk assessment activities. The CAG has also asked TOSC to consider providing additional technical support in the future.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

7 /8 /2003
TOSC provided comments on the April 17, 2003 field sampling plan which is intended to support site characterization and risk assessment activities.
2/04/2004
No activity the last two quarters.
6/20/2004
TOSC will attend the first meeting of the Willamette River Cleanup Authority and will offer technical assistance and to prepare a study of funding sources for the cleanup developed by the Institute for Natural Resources, a companion research center of CWESt, the Oregon State University research center that houses TOSC.
10/11/2004
TOSC is waiting to hear from DEQ about updating the 2000 Environmental Finance Committee report to recommend funding mechanisms for the cleanup.

Community Group: Don't Waste Arizona (Concerned Residents of South Phoenix)

Site: Quality Printed Circuits, Inc.
Location: South Phoenix, Arizona
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@orst.edu, 541-737-4023
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 2/4/1997

Contaminants: Anions, Metals, PAH's, and Dioxins in Soils, House Dusts, and Ventilation/Air Conditioning Systems

Description: Assistance was provided to Don't Waste Arizona concerning impacts upon the community from a fire at the Quality Printed Circuits Co. (QPC) site. Work included: review of EPA sampling plan and sampling results and review of community health data.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Review of existing sampling data and recommendations for future actions; mortality mapping to determine spatial patterns and relations to QPC fire plume.

Community Group: Tustin RAB

Site: Marine Corps Air Facility
Location: Orange County, California
TOSC Contact: Ken Williamson, ken.williamson@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-6836

Date Letter of Agreement signed: 8/21/1997

Contaminants: TCE and other VOC's in groundwater

Description: TOSC is providing assistance to an established Restoration Advisory Board regarding remediation activities at a Marine Corps Air Station. RI/FS completed.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Regular attendance at Restoration Advisory Board meetings; review and comment on RI/FS and Draft and final ROD documents at OU-3; review and comment on Draft RI/FS at OU-1; ongoing educational programs for RAB members related to remediation plans and activities; TOSC presentation on viability of bioremediation for groundwater.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

12/1 /1998
TOSC has been reviewing and commenting on several drafts of the OU-1 groundwater Feasibility Study since January 1998.
12/2 /2001
Over the past two years, TOSC attended RAB and and technical subcommittee meetings, Submitted comments on draft and draft final OU-3 Record of Decision (3/99-6/00), presented a proposal for bioremediation of MTBE in groundwater (April 2000), and submitted comments on OU-1 treatability studies for VOCs in groundwater and annual groundwater monitoring reports.
7 /1 /2002
TOSC attended the June 20 RAB meeting. The community has requested assistance with review of a revised community involvement plan and an Feasibility Study for OU-3. These reports are expected to be completed in late July.
11/25/2002
TOSC submitted comments on the Community Relations Plan on November 19.
1 /24/2003
The RAB Co-chair, has asked for TOSC assistance with a radiological issue related to activities on the former air base.
2 /21/2003
TOSC participated in the February 18 RAB meeting. The RAB co-chairs announced that the radiological survey issue had been at least temporarily resolved. CA DHS has provided guidelines which should allow the Navy to complete its survey. The community co-chair has also requested TOSC review and comment on the recently released feasibility study for OU-1, the petroleum and 1,2,3-trichloropropane groundwater plumes.
3 /28/2003
TOSC submitted comments on the draft final Feasibility Study for OU-1A.
4 /21/2003
TOSC participated in the April 17 RAB meeting and gave a brief presentation on the comments we submitted to the Department of the Navy (DON) on the Draft Final OU-1A Feasibility Study.
8/25/2003
TOSC attended the public meeting describing the proposed plan for OU-1A, the TCP and TCE plume at the former Tustin MCAS. The Navy has proposed hydraulic containment with soil hot spot removal as the final remedy. Public comments are due by September 8.
9/15/2003
TOSC will participate in a sub-committee meeting on groundwater cleanup for the entire base. The meeting will take place on September 23.
2/04/2004
TOSC attended the December 2003 RAB meeting regarding how to proceed with low priority ground water sites at the base. TOSC will make a presentation on this topic at the February RAB meeting.
02/01/2005
TOSC continues to attend RAB meetings in this community.

Community Group: Valley Center

Location: Valley Center, California
TOSC Contact: Stephanie Sanford, stephanie.sanford@oregonstate.edu
541-737-5861
Date TOSC learned about the community: 11/26/2002
Date Letter of Agreement signed: March 2003

Contaminants: pesticides and MTBE

Description: The community is concerned about their health and the number of cancer cases among neighborhood children.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Help the community understand the epidemiological report concerning childhood cancer; TOSC will explain the methodology used for data collection and analysis as well as the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Explain the results from the MTBE water testing at local schools and the collection and analysis procedures. Support the community's request for City and State to test the city water and well water in schools for MTBE and pesticides. Help the community convince the City and State to test the soil around the school grounds for pesticides and MTBE. Evaluate the regulatory status of Dursban (chlorpyrifos) and report to the community.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

12/2 /2002
TOSC contacted community leaders and discussed TOSC's potential role in helping the community and plans for going forward in a formal agreement.
1 /2 /2003
Through phone calls with community group leaders, TOSC started to learn about the community explore their technical assistance needs.
1 /27/2003
TOSC visited Valley Center and the community group on Wednesday, January 22 to discuss the community's issues and how TOSC can help. A draft letter of agreement will be forthcoming.
4 /7 /2003
TOSC has been helping the community learn more about an epidemiological study carried out by UC-Irvine. The study investigated childhood cancer in the neighborhood. The community would like to receive a written report that describes the methods, analysis, and conclusions of the study.
2/04/2004
TOSC continues to explore ways to obtain information on a cancer incidence rate study to better understand the study and its limitations and to help the community understand that study.
6/20/2004
TOSC has sought opinions from other university-based experts on the methodology used in the epidemiological study carried out by UC-Irvine. TOSC will summarize the findings and conclusions and present them to the community.
10/11/2004
TOSC has prepared a report to explain the process by which the University of California at Irvine evaluated the incidence of cancer in Valley Center . The purpose of the report is to help the community understand that study. TOSC's resources in this effort include an epidemiologist from Oregon Health and Sciences University and the Department of Statistics at OSU. TOSC expects to provide its final report to the community by December 2004.
02/01/2005
TOSC has finished the report and has sent it to others for review. It will then be presented to the community.
05/2005
TOSC completed its draft report on the cancer evaluation for Valley Center and submitted it to the community for review and comment.
10/2005
TOSC discussed “next steps” with the community, following their review of TOSC's cancer evaluation report. TOSC also solicited comments from U.C. Irvine regarding the TOSC summary report and will incorporate the comments into the final report as appropriate.
05/2006
No activity this quarter.