ahmanson_thumbnail-161x117AHMANSON RANCH GALLERY
Ahmanson Ranch, re-christened the “Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Reserve,” in all its glory. Our exposé revealed perchorate in groundwater causing housing development to become park.

 

bradshermanprotestAHMANSON RANCH DOCUMENTS
Key documents include stories from different media on historic fight over Ahmanson Ranch bordering Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

 

kuipers_and_collins-150x111AHMANSON RANCH ENDGAME
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat – December 31, 2003
Michael Collins wins a 2003 Los Angeles Press Club award for coverage of toxics issues that lead to a new state park at Ahmanson Ranch. By Dean Kuipers

 

mcandmwAHMANSON RANCH TIMELINE
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat – December 31, 2003
How investigative reporting stopped a public health disaster
By Dean Kuipers

MICHAEL COLLINS PRINT ARTICLES (from oldest to newest):

Earthly SecretsEARTHLY SECRETS
LA Weekly – June 12, 2002
“They must analyze the ground water for pollution since they plan to use 660,000 gallons of it every day to water playgrounds, golf courses, common areas and lawns,” says Washington Mutual foe.

rocketdyneranchcroppedROCKETDYNE RANCH
Ventura County Reporter – December 12, 2002
The battle over the massive Ahmanson Ranch housing development heats up amid growing concerns about possible water and soil contamination from nearby Rocketdyne.

 

supervisor_linda_parksBATTLEGROUND AHMANSON RANCH
Ventura County Reporter – December 12, 2002
On day one, pro and anti-development forces face off in Ventura.

 

nuclear_radiation_monitorROCKETDYNE – IT’S THE PITS
Ventura County Reporter – December 19, 2002
Lots of questions, few answers at the latest meeting on Rocketdyne cleanup.

 

'Rocketdyne Ranch' rebuttal‘Rocketdyne Ranch’ rebuttal
Ventura County Reporter – December 26, 2002
Washington Mutual’s Tim McGarry calls “Rocketdyne Ranch” an “outrageous hatchet job.” Michael Collins responds that “the Reporter and I stand behind the facts.”

 

dontbankonitDON’T BANK ON IT
Ventura County Reporter – December 26, 2002
WaMu will forge ahead on Ahmanson despite massive litigation. Collins interviews Tim McGarry of Washington Mutual regarding the controversial development.

 

Suited UpSUITED UP
Ventura County Reporter – January 23, 2003
“This is a horrible project,” says Los Angeles Sup. Zev Yaroslavsky. “We should join in protecting our interests as a county.”

 

Calabasas Mayor Janice Lee 2002 smWHO TO WATCH – JANICE LEE
Ventura County Reporter – February 6, 2003
Calabasas City Council member, pollution-hater, hell-on-heels. “When I say ‘no’ on Ahmanson Ranch,” she said, “I mean business.”

 

Air ApparentAIR APPARENT
Ventura County Reporter – February 13, 2003
Deadly Rocketdyne vapor threatens Ventura and Los Angeles counties. “It will take 50,000 years to clean up the TCE,” says watchdog Dan Hirsch.

 

The Feeling is MutualTHE FEELING IS MUTUAL
Los Angeles ValleyBeat – July 10, 2003
“Media exposure about the pollution and contamination up at Rocketdyne has really made Washington Mutual take a second look,” says WaMu foe.

 

Recall RanchRECALL RANCH
Los Angeles CityBeat – September 18, 2003
“There is something to be said for the benefit of being a corporate citizen on your bottom line,” said Ventura County Sup. Linda Parks. “People are going to appreciate you and will become clients of your bank.”

Ranch RevelryRANCH REVELRY
Ventura County Reporter – May 20, 2004
“That was good stuff that the (Reporter) suggested, the perchlorate, and actually did help us,” said Rob Reiner at Ahmanson Ranch victory party.

WIDE OPEN SPACESWIDE OPEN SPACES
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat – August 3, 2006
It’s been three years since our reports on toxic issues plaguing Ahmanson Ranch forced Washington Mutual to sell land to State.