THE SINS OF ROCKETDYNE
Others, however, aren’t reticent to talk. “I have been involved in the toxic and radiological cleanup of the DOE’s facility at Rocketdyne’s Santa Susana Field Laboratory since the beginning,” says Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara counties). “I am very concerned about how the byproducts of years of DOE tests will affect area residents and former, current, and future workers. In addition, I am committed to the timely and effective cleanup of contaminants at the SSFL, which will ensure they do not spread off-site. I started the Working Group to give area residents a voice in the cleanup efforts. “Simi Valley has been my home for 35 years. I have been, am, and will continue to work with the EPA and DOE, the community and Boeing to ensure that sound science is applied to the SSFL cleanup,” Gallegly continues. “The community deserves no less than a complete, prompt, and timely cleanup.”
As reported earlier in CityBeat, fallout from Rocketdyne’s radiological and chemical pollution woes may have spread to the adjacent Ahmanson Ranch project. Property owner Washington Mutual Bank wants to build 3,050 homes on 2,800 acres less than two miles from Rocketdyne’s former nuclear facility, site of two partial meltdowns, the second occurring in 1964. Last week, it was revealed that “WaMu” has been talking with the state about the possible sale of the site so that it may be preserved as open space.
“Several weeks ago, the Secretary of Resources asked us to consider whether we would be willing to adjust our plans for the remaining 2,800 acres of the Ahmanson Ranch,” says Adrian Rodriguez, a Washington Mutual spokesperson. “We have always said that we would be willing to listen to any reasonable request or input regarding the project, and we felt an obligation as a responsible corporate citizen to be responsive to the request. It is important to note that, at this point, there is no deal and there are no guarantees that anything will result from these discussions.
“We still believe that the best use of the Ahmanson Ranch is for much-needed housing in Southern California,” Rodriguez continues. “Therefore, we will continue to be focused on completing the entitlement process to clear the way for developing the project.”
“The Boeing Company and the Department of Energy could turn lemons into lemonade, just like Washington Mutual is contemplating doing,” contends Parfrey. “If they were wise, they’d clean up the lab and donate the site as parkland to the state – my God, they’d be the toast of the town.”
