RUNKLE CANYON TIMELINE
This broad picturesque gorge used to be a working ranch used for growing grain and
walnuts. That was before the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, commonly known as
Rocketdyne, was built in the late 1940s less than a mile from Runkle Canyon. That was
before meltdowns and catastrophic radioactive and chemical pollution at the lab.
This broad picturesque gorge used to be a working ranch used for growing grain and
walnuts. That was before the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, commonly known as
Rocketdyne, was built in the late 1940s less than a mile from Runkle Canyon. That was
before meltdowns and catastrophic radioactive and chemical pollution at the lab.
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| Runkle Canyon Investigation (Click thumbnail image to view article. Articles listed from newest to oldest in descending order.) |
NEIGHBORHOOD THREAT
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - March 10, 2005
Runkle Canyon is poised to be Simi Valley’s newest neighborhood. But did the city
misinterpret the risk of radioactive material in the ground? Collins breaks story of how the
radionuclide Strontium-90 may have polluted a planned development next to Rocketdyne.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - March 10, 2005
Runkle Canyon is poised to be Simi Valley’s newest neighborhood. But did the city
misinterpret the risk of radioactive material in the ground? Collins breaks story of how the
radionuclide Strontium-90 may have polluted a planned development next to Rocketdyne.
NEIGHBORHOOD THREAT - annotated version
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - March 10, 2005
Because so much of what we published is information not easily available to the public, due
partly to the fact that the developer has kept many of the reports we cited unavailable and
not included in the Environmental Impact Report, we have included an annotated copy of
“NEIGHBORHOOD THREAT” here. See for yourself how we came to our conclusions. Note
that the page designations in [brackets] refer to the specific page in the linked PDF
applicable.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - March 10, 2005
Because so much of what we published is information not easily available to the public, due
partly to the fact that the developer has kept many of the reports we cited unavailable and
not included in the Environmental Impact Report, we have included an annotated copy of
“NEIGHBORHOOD THREAT” here. See for yourself how we came to our conclusions. Note
that the page designations in [brackets] refer to the specific page in the linked PDF
applicable.
HOT PROPERTY
Los Angeles ValleyBeat - January 19, 2006
Runkle Canyon developers claim mysterious new state tests have erased previously high
levels of radioactive contamination. Collins debunks these new results created by the
California Department of Health Services.
Los Angeles ValleyBeat - January 19, 2006
Runkle Canyon developers claim mysterious new state tests have erased previously high
levels of radioactive contamination. Collins debunks these new results created by the
California Department of Health Services.
HOT PROPERTY - annotated version
Los Angeles ValleyBeat - January 19, 2006
Los Angeles ValleyBeat - January 19, 2006
THE HILLS HAVE EYES
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - September 21, 2006
Simi Valley residents unite to fight ‘hot’ KB Home development in Runkle Canyon. Collins
exposes city's false pledge to fully flesh out facts about property as developer indicates that
City Council and City Planner believe that the place is perfectly safe to develop.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - September 21, 2006
Simi Valley residents unite to fight ‘hot’ KB Home development in Runkle Canyon. Collins
exposes city's false pledge to fully flesh out facts about property as developer indicates that
City Council and City Planner believe that the place is perfectly safe to develop.
UNRAVELING RUNKLE
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - September 28, 2006
Dozens of exasperated residents converge on Simi Valley City, spurred on by last week’s
report in this paper (“The Hills Have Eyes”), and worried the development of 461 homes in
Runkle Canyon was being pushed through without a promised city council review.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - September 28, 2006
Dozens of exasperated residents converge on Simi Valley City, spurred on by last week’s
report in this paper (“The Hills Have Eyes”), and worried the development of 461 homes in
Runkle Canyon was being pushed through without a promised city council review.
THE HILLS HAVE EYES
Ventura County Reporter - September 28, 2006
Simi Valley residents unite to fight ‘hot’ KB Home development in Runkle Canyon. Collins
exposes city's false pledge to fully flesh out facts about property as developer indicates that
City Council and City Planner believe that the place is perfectly safe to develop.
Ventura County Reporter - September 28, 2006
Simi Valley residents unite to fight ‘hot’ KB Home development in Runkle Canyon. Collins
exposes city's false pledge to fully flesh out facts about property as developer indicates that
City Council and City Planner believe that the place is perfectly safe to develop.
REINING IN RUNKLE
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - October 26, 2006
The Simi Valley City Council temporarily halts KB Home grading plans for Runkle Canyon
and asks the U.S. EPA, California Department of Health Services, and the California
Department of Toxic Substances Control to evaluate our revelations that the development
area has tested high for radiation and didn't include this information in the development's
Environmental Impact Report.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - October 26, 2006
The Simi Valley City Council temporarily halts KB Home grading plans for Runkle Canyon
and asks the U.S. EPA, California Department of Health Services, and the California
Department of Toxic Substances Control to evaluate our revelations that the development
area has tested high for radiation and didn't include this information in the development's
Environmental Impact Report.
WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS
Ventura County Reporter - March 17, 2005
Runkle Canyon is poised to be Simi Valley’s newest neighborhood. But did the city
misinterpret the risk of radioactive material in the ground?
Ventura County Reporter - March 17, 2005
Runkle Canyon is poised to be Simi Valley’s newest neighborhood. But did the city
misinterpret the risk of radioactive material in the ground?
RUNKLE NEWS & ANALYSIS
EnviroReporter.com
The latest information regarding this 1,595-acre KB Homes development in Simi Valley, CA,
that shows indications of being polluted by the lethal radionuclide Strontium-90.
EnviroReporter.com
The latest information regarding this 1,595-acre KB Homes development in Simi Valley, CA,
that shows indications of being polluted by the lethal radionuclide Strontium-90.
DUST IN THE WIND
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - March 15, 2007
Simi Valley still looking for answers about Runkle Canyon radiation. Last fall, spurred on by
citizens alarmed at the impending development of picturesque Runkle Canyon and the cloud
of strontium-90-laden dust it could launch over the Simi and San Fernando valleys, the Simi
Valley City Council did something quite extraordinary – it asked for help. In the process,
residents concerned about the huge project were invited to question government radiation
officials at the California Department of Health Services.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - March 15, 2007
Simi Valley still looking for answers about Runkle Canyon radiation. Last fall, spurred on by
citizens alarmed at the impending development of picturesque Runkle Canyon and the cloud
of strontium-90-laden dust it could launch over the Simi and San Fernando valleys, the Simi
Valley City Council did something quite extraordinary – it asked for help. In the process,
residents concerned about the huge project were invited to question government radiation
officials at the California Department of Health Services.
THE RADIATION RANGERS
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - June 21, 2007
Developers of Simi Valley’s Runkle Canyon claim the water tested clean. Then a band of
citizens discovered super-toxic goo seeping from the ground.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - June 21, 2007
Developers of Simi Valley’s Runkle Canyon claim the water tested clean. Then a band of
citizens discovered super-toxic goo seeping from the ground.
BUBBLE TROUBLE
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - July 26, 2007
City of Simi Valley forced to test Runkle Canyon water and soil
for arsenic.
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - July 26, 2007
City of Simi Valley forced to test Runkle Canyon water and soil
for arsenic.
SPIN CYCLE
Ventura County Reporter - August 23, 2007
Selling Runkle Canyon pollution report as clean.
Ventura County Reporter - August 23, 2007
Selling Runkle Canyon pollution report as clean.
SPIN CYCLE
Los Angeles CityBeat - August 23, 2007
Simi Council sells disturbing Runkle Canyon pollution report as
clean.
Los Angeles CityBeat - August 23, 2007
Simi Council sells disturbing Runkle Canyon pollution report as
clean.
DIRTY BUSINESS
Ventura County Reporter - November 1, 2007
New law cleaning up Rocketdyne for parkland may not stop adjacent KB Home development
pushed by Simi Valley City Council.
Ventura County Reporter - November 1, 2007
New law cleaning up Rocketdyne for parkland may not stop adjacent KB Home development
pushed by Simi Valley City Council.
DOWN THE TEST TUBES
Ventura County Reporter - January 17, 2008
KB Home’s Runkle Canyon radiation tests questioned as more groundwater pollution is found
and developer negotiates cleanup agreement with state.
Ventura County Reporter - January 17, 2008
KB Home’s Runkle Canyon radiation tests questioned as more groundwater pollution is found
and developer negotiates cleanup agreement with state.
RUNKLE CANYON DOCUMENTS
This extensive and growing collection of documents includes the environmental reports that
the developer based its Environmental Impact Report on, recent tests performed by the City
of Simi Valley and the Radiation Rangers as well as the whole gamut of information regarding
this controversial proposed development.
This extensive and growing collection of documents includes the environmental reports that
the developer based its Environmental Impact Report on, recent tests performed by the City
of Simi Valley and the Radiation Rangers as well as the whole gamut of information regarding
this controversial proposed development.
| Michael Collins' articles listed below are from newest to oldest in descending order: |
REASSESSING RUNKLE
Ventura County Reporter - April 24, 2008
KB Home and state agree to cooperate on troubled Simi canyon.
Ventura County Reporter - April 24, 2008
KB Home and state agree to cooperate on troubled Simi canyon.
WHITE BLIGHT
Ventura County Reporter - June 25, 2008
Runkle Canyon's chromium conundrum. Radiation Rangers find mysterious white material
covering vast sections of the canyon, material tested by the Department of Toxic Substances
Control which calls it an "evaporative salt." Chromium, nickel, molybdenum and iron found at
high levels in the salty stuff that may also be appearing in another canyon miles away.
Ventura County Reporter - June 25, 2008
Runkle Canyon's chromium conundrum. Radiation Rangers find mysterious white material
covering vast sections of the canyon, material tested by the Department of Toxic Substances
Control which calls it an "evaporative salt." Chromium, nickel, molybdenum and iron found at
high levels in the salty stuff that may also be appearing in another canyon miles away.
RUNKLE CANYON PHOTOS
This extensive collection shows pollution testing by the Radiation Rangers and the city of
Simi Valley, citizens and the city council going at it, the Rangers' sky-high aerial surveillance
of the entire area, visual evidence of apparent contamination and, of course, Runkle
Canyon in its full glory with magnificent vistas, vernal pools, submerged corral and more.
This extensive collection shows pollution testing by the Radiation Rangers and the city of
Simi Valley, citizens and the city council going at it, the Rangers' sky-high aerial surveillance
of the entire area, visual evidence of apparent contamination and, of course, Runkle
Canyon in its full glory with magnificent vistas, vernal pools, submerged corral and more.