Simi Valley’s Radiation Rangers uncover more than just contamination in Runkle Canyon – they’ve discovered that Runkle’s would-be developer KB Home promise to remove two giant mountains of slag material that are leaking pools of toxic sludge. (See “Mountains of Goo.”)
Massive grading would take place in land previously dedicated as open space as part of the 461-home development adjacent Rocketdyne. Huge undertaking not mentioned in Environmental Impact Report.
“Tar material encountered at the site poses a potential threat to human health because benzo(a)anthracene concentrations exceed the [Preliminary Remediation Goal],” says state EPA’s Department of Toxic Substances Control. “The tar material should be removed from the site and either properly recycled or disposed.”
Rangers show in 58-page cleanup plan response on their website StopRunkledyne.com that KB Home subcontractor says huge hills will come down in developer’s Response Plan.
The Rangers plan to hold KB Home to this pledge. “That’s going to be something watching KB tear down those mountains if they ever do,” says “Toxic Terry” Matheney. “But DTSC just can’t let them do this without a legal cleanup plan and city oversight because Runkle Canyon is in Simi Valley city limits. We’ve got rules in this city the state can’t walk over.”
Rangers show Runkle Canyon to be in Simi Valley city limits since 2006. Assert DTSC Notice of Exemption to permit Runkle grading in violation of municipal law to protect oaks. Group demands plans before grading.
24 Years of Award-Winning SSFL/Rocketdyne Reporting
June 1998 – June 2022
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