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Aerojet Chino Hills Cleanup
What a difference a cleanup makes! Click here to see through Google Earth the cleanup of Aerojet's Chino Hills complex.
To understand why there is so much earth-moving in these images, it's helpful to know the background of this place.
This property was the subject of an investigation of Michael Collins back in 2000 where he found "a clandestine 800-acre
complex that operated for nearly 40 years before it was closed in 1995 by military-industrial giant Aerojet General. The site,
surrounded by barbed wire and virtually inaccessible cliffs, is near the juncture of Los Angeles, Orange and San
Bernardino counties. There, Aerojet detonated mustard- and tear-gas weapons, exploded depleted uranium-tipped
projectiles, and produced a galaxy of bombs and munitions."
Collins' first Aerojet article appeared in the May 3, 2000 edition of the LA Weekly and was called "Living Next to a War
Factory."
Two weeks later, Collins expanded the piece for a cover story in the Orange County Weekly where he found that polluted
water from the Aerojet facility was suspected to be carrying the toxic rocket fuel oxidizer off-property via "a small creek that
sluices runoff from the Aerojet site into the Soquel Canyon Creek in Chino Hills. Soquel Canyon feeds into Carbon Canyon
Creek, moving south through Brea, Placentia and into Anaheim. It discharges into the Santa Ana River near the crossroads
of the 91 freeway and Kraemer Boulevard. The Santa Ana is a major source of water for many in Orange County, flowing
through Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley and Costa Mesa before dumping into the Pacific Ocean at the south
end of environmentally troubled Huntington Beach."
That May 18, 2000 Orange County Weekly cover story was called "Russians, Rockets, and the Santa Ana River."
Before Collins' coverage of Aerojet Chino Hills, the issue of this heavily-polluted site strewn with unexploded ordnance was
only covered in a small local paper. Few folks, even government officials, even knew about the place. But Collins did and
began to investigate the facility.
To understand why there is so much earth-moving in these images, it's helpful to know the background of this place.
This property was the subject of an investigation of Michael Collins back in 2000 where he found "a clandestine 800-acre
complex that operated for nearly 40 years before it was closed in 1995 by military-industrial giant Aerojet General. The site,
surrounded by barbed wire and virtually inaccessible cliffs, is near the juncture of Los Angeles, Orange and San
Bernardino counties. There, Aerojet detonated mustard- and tear-gas weapons, exploded depleted uranium-tipped
projectiles, and produced a galaxy of bombs and munitions."
Collins' first Aerojet article appeared in the May 3, 2000 edition of the LA Weekly and was called "Living Next to a War
Factory."
Two weeks later, Collins expanded the piece for a cover story in the Orange County Weekly where he found that polluted
water from the Aerojet facility was suspected to be carrying the toxic rocket fuel oxidizer off-property via "a small creek that
sluices runoff from the Aerojet site into the Soquel Canyon Creek in Chino Hills. Soquel Canyon feeds into Carbon Canyon
Creek, moving south through Brea, Placentia and into Anaheim. It discharges into the Santa Ana River near the crossroads
of the 91 freeway and Kraemer Boulevard. The Santa Ana is a major source of water for many in Orange County, flowing
through Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley and Costa Mesa before dumping into the Pacific Ocean at the south
end of environmentally troubled Huntington Beach."
That May 18, 2000 Orange County Weekly cover story was called "Russians, Rockets, and the Santa Ana River."
Before Collins' coverage of Aerojet Chino Hills, the issue of this heavily-polluted site strewn with unexploded ordnance was
only covered in a small local paper. Few folks, even government officials, even knew about the place. But Collins did and
began to investigate the facility.
The site was virtually inaccessible, a quality common to many such defense and aerospace facilities around Southern
California, like Boeing's Santa Susana Field Laboratory, commonly known as Rocketdyne. The above photos from 2000
illustrate this point.
Several months after Collins' articles appeared, the area north of Aerojet Chino Hills caught fire. Collins was astonished
to find that the folks leading the fire fight had little information on the dangers of the facility. While watching a live feed of
the fire, he hit the phones and advised firefighters of the situation they faced, which led to a change in tactics fighting the
blaze. "I called the incident commander and said, ‘Do not send anybody into that facility with the intention of cutting a fire
line, fighting fire or protecting those structures,’ " a Fire Marshall told Collins.
California, like Boeing's Santa Susana Field Laboratory, commonly known as Rocketdyne. The above photos from 2000
illustrate this point.
Several months after Collins' articles appeared, the area north of Aerojet Chino Hills caught fire. Collins was astonished
to find that the folks leading the fire fight had little information on the dangers of the facility. While watching a live feed of
the fire, he hit the phones and advised firefighters of the situation they faced, which led to a change in tactics fighting the
blaze. "I called the incident commander and said, ‘Do not send anybody into that facility with the intention of cutting a fire
line, fighting fire or protecting those structures,’ " a Fire Marshall told Collins.
This October 2000 fire caused great consternation among environmentalists. “The fires of the last few of the last few
months should serve as a wake-up call,” said Daniel Hirsch and Bill Magavern of the Committee to Bridge the Gap in an
October 23, 2000 letter to then-Governor Davis. “During a fire, radioactive and chemical poisons in vegetation and soil
are released into the air, where they can threaten human
health.”
We documented this fire in an LA Weekly story called "Hot Zone" which was prescient because most of the Rocketdyne
lab was burnt by a wildfire in the fall of 2005. "Firefighters at Aerojet had more to worry about than random toxins," said
one environmentalist in our article. "That damn place is littered with perhaps hundreds of unexploded bombs."
Well, not so many bombs now. A year after our investigation first started, Aerojet began to intensify its cleanup activity
which was estimated to cost $23 million at the time . In April 2001, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control
sent us a series of photographs of the site cleanup, including Aerojet's accompanying descriptions:
months should serve as a wake-up call,” said Daniel Hirsch and Bill Magavern of the Committee to Bridge the Gap in an
October 23, 2000 letter to then-Governor Davis. “During a fire, radioactive and chemical poisons in vegetation and soil
are released into the air, where they can threaten human
health.”
We documented this fire in an LA Weekly story called "Hot Zone" which was prescient because most of the Rocketdyne
lab was burnt by a wildfire in the fall of 2005. "Firefighters at Aerojet had more to worry about than random toxins," said
one environmentalist in our article. "That damn place is littered with perhaps hundreds of unexploded bombs."
Well, not so many bombs now. A year after our investigation first started, Aerojet began to intensify its cleanup activity
which was estimated to cost $23 million at the time . In April 2001, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control
sent us a series of photographs of the site cleanup, including Aerojet's accompanying descriptions:
"With operations beginning on February 6,
2001, approximately 6,000 tons of soil were
removed from the site designated as the Red
Water Pond."
2001, approximately 6,000 tons of soil were
removed from the site designated as the Red
Water Pond."
"Testing of excavated soils demonstrated that no
residual contamination exists under the Red Water
Pond at levels exceeding cleanup criteria. Despite
heavy rains prior to and during soil excavation, there
was no significant accumulation of ground water
found beneath the pond bottom. In addition, site
topography and geology makes drainage of any
surface or subsurface water from the Red Water
Pond into the Chino Basin impossible." [NOTE --
we cannot verify the accuracy of this last statement]
residual contamination exists under the Red Water
Pond at levels exceeding cleanup criteria. Despite
heavy rains prior to and during soil excavation, there
was no significant accumulation of ground water
found beneath the pond bottom. In addition, site
topography and geology makes drainage of any
surface or subsurface water from the Red Water
Pond into the Chino Basin impossible." [NOTE --
we cannot verify the accuracy of this last statement]
"Site excavation took place from January 29,
2001 to March, 2001. The soil was removed
via truck to a landfill site in Kern County for
proper disposal under guidance of the State
of California Department of Toxic Substances
Control. Three hundred and six truck trips
were made during the remediation process."
2001 to March, 2001. The soil was removed
via truck to a landfill site in Kern County for
proper disposal under guidance of the State
of California Department of Toxic Substances
Control. Three hundred and six truck trips
were made during the remediation process."
"Excavated soil was placed on a tarped
staging area . . ."
staging area . . ."
". . . where front loaders loaded the soil into
dump trucks."
dump trucks."
"Prior to departure, all trucks were inspected and brushed down to remove any soils
that may be along the sides of the truck."
that may be along the sides of the truck."
"Extra care was taken during the placement
of tarps over the top of the loads to ensure
that no dirt could escape."
of tarps over the top of the loads to ensure
that no dirt could escape."
"Tarps were secured tightly in place to
prevent any soil from being blown out during
transport to the Kern County landfill site."
prevent any soil from being blown out during
transport to the Kern County landfill site."
"Exterior inspections were made to ensure
the load was completely enclosed, and that
exterior surfaces of the trucks were clean of
loose debris. Truck operators were then
required to go through one final inspection by
Aerojet employees and the work contractor to
ensure all procedures were followed before
they were permitted to depart the site."
the load was completely enclosed, and that
exterior surfaces of the trucks were clean of
loose debris. Truck operators were then
required to go through one final inspection by
Aerojet employees and the work contractor to
ensure all procedures were followed before
they were permitted to depart the site."
"A series of air quality monitors were
installed prior to excavation operations
to ensure that no particulate matter was
released into the air during breezy
conditions. The monitors were attended
by RES during excavation operations."
installed prior to excavation operations
to ensure that no particulate matter was
released into the air during breezy
conditions. The monitors were attended
by RES during excavation operations."
"In areas where UXO remediation took place, sweeps were conducted using magnetometers to
detect metal ordnance under areas where soil excavation and screening took place to ensure
complete removal."
detect metal ordnance under areas where soil excavation and screening took place to ensure
complete removal."
"After initial sweeps were conducted, those areas where magnetometer
screening indicated a magnetic mass were examined using a schonstedt.
When anomalies were confirmed, they were hand excavated by an
Unexploded Ordnance Technician."
screening indicated a magnetic mass were examined using a schonstedt.
When anomalies were confirmed, they were hand excavated by an
Unexploded Ordnance Technician."
"An Unexploded Ordnance Technician excavates a detected shell."
"Unearthed shells are disposed in a safe
manner in accordance with all State and
Federal Regulations."
manner in accordance with all State and
Federal Regulations."
"In the event a shell cannot be safely removed,
a Blow-in-Place (BIP) operation is required. In
this case a fusing mechanism is detonated
with a small amount of C4 explosive and
detonating cord."
a Blow-in-Place (BIP) operation is required. In
this case a fusing mechanism is detonated
with a small amount of C4 explosive and
detonating cord."
"After preparation of the UXO, it is remotely
detonated."
detonated."
"After remote detonation, Unexploded
Ordnance Technicians inspect the remains of
the detonation to ensure proper destruction."
Ordnance Technicians inspect the remains of
the detonation to ensure proper destruction."
As we have previously reported, Aerojet was sued in early 2000 by Chino Hills residents who
alleged fraud, negligence and seven wrongful deaths. They sought compensation for medical
expenses, lost wages, lower property values and legal fees for, according to the complaint, "willful,
wanton and despicable conduct."
According to Security and Exchange Commission filings, in early 2005, "Aerojet and several other
defendants have been sued by private residents living in the vicinity of Chino and Chino Hills,
California. The cases have been consolidated and are pending in the U.S. District Court for the
Central District of California... Plaintiffs generally allege that Aerojet released hazardous chemicals
into the air at its former manufacturing facility in Chino Hills, California, which allegedly caused
illness, death, and economic injury. Various motions have reduced the number of plaintiffs from 80
to 48."
Aerojet's parent company, in a GenCorp press release concerning its 2005 2nd Quarter results,
stated that "The Company has reached an agreement to settle the San Gabriel Valley and Chino
Hills toxic tort cases that have been pending against Aerojet for several years, resulting in a net $2
million charge related to such settlements."
In March 2002, the company asked for and received permission from adjacent Chino Hills State
Park to do a surface sweep of a 200-foot wide swath in the park where the company had found
shrapnel and pieces of explosives.
On Jan. 17, 2003, two teenage boys sneaked into the Aerojet complex and stole 38 non-explosive
artillery shells, including a 75 mm anti-aircraft projectile, and 30 and 60 mm mortar rounds from the
facility. The 14-year-old boys were eventually arrested and the munitions detonated in the
backyard of one of the juveniles. Aerojet promised to strengthen security measures at the facility
which had been a longtime concern of Chino Hills residents.
alleged fraud, negligence and seven wrongful deaths. They sought compensation for medical
expenses, lost wages, lower property values and legal fees for, according to the complaint, "willful,
wanton and despicable conduct."
According to Security and Exchange Commission filings, in early 2005, "Aerojet and several other
defendants have been sued by private residents living in the vicinity of Chino and Chino Hills,
California. The cases have been consolidated and are pending in the U.S. District Court for the
Central District of California... Plaintiffs generally allege that Aerojet released hazardous chemicals
into the air at its former manufacturing facility in Chino Hills, California, which allegedly caused
illness, death, and economic injury. Various motions have reduced the number of plaintiffs from 80
to 48."
Aerojet's parent company, in a GenCorp press release concerning its 2005 2nd Quarter results,
stated that "The Company has reached an agreement to settle the San Gabriel Valley and Chino
Hills toxic tort cases that have been pending against Aerojet for several years, resulting in a net $2
million charge related to such settlements."
In March 2002, the company asked for and received permission from adjacent Chino Hills State
Park to do a surface sweep of a 200-foot wide swath in the park where the company had found
shrapnel and pieces of explosives.
On Jan. 17, 2003, two teenage boys sneaked into the Aerojet complex and stole 38 non-explosive
artillery shells, including a 75 mm anti-aircraft projectile, and 30 and 60 mm mortar rounds from the
facility. The 14-year-old boys were eventually arrested and the munitions detonated in the
backyard of one of the juveniles. Aerojet promised to strengthen security measures at the facility
which had been a longtime concern of Chino Hills residents.
| Check out our Aerojet Chino Hills Forum for the latest information about the ongoing cleanup |
