Administration signs landmark agreement to set up transfer of property for open space

GAAS:802:07
For Immediate Release:
Friday, October 12, 2007
Contact: Aaron McLear, Bill Maile 916-445-4571
BreAnda Northcutt (CalEPA) 916-324-9670

Governor Schwarzenegger today announced that he intends to sign a bill, SB 990 by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), specifying the basis of clean-up standards to be used at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory site, a former rocket engine test and nuclear research facility in Ventura County.

The Governor also announced that the Boeing Company, which owns the majority of the 2,850-acre field laboratory site, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the California Environmental Protection Agency and Resources Agency regarding the transfer of the property to the state, after extensive cleanup and at no cost to the taxpayers.

“I am pleased to announce this historic agreement will benefit the environment, nearby residents in Ventura County and the people of California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I would like to applaud Senator Kuehl for her leadership on this issue and commend the Boeing Company for working with officials to come up with this solution that will protect the health of residents in adjacent communities.”

Under the LOI, Boeing will be required to clean up the property prior to transfer to levels which would be acceptable for residential use and which would protect individuals living in the vicinity. However, under the terms of the agreement, the property could only be used for park, recreational and open space purposes. Residential and agricultural uses will be prohibited.

To make this transfer possible, Senator Kuehl has agreed to carry clean-up legislation in 2008 to allow the transfer of the SSFL property to the state, but not before property cleanup is completed under the terms of a written agreement that is consistent with the LOI.

SB 990 by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) authorizes the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to use both its Hazardous Waste Control Law (HWCL) and its Carpenter-Presley-Tanner Hazardous Substance Account Act (State Superfund) authority to compel cleanup of the SSFL site.

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