According to a report the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) prepared for the community in Spring of 2018, most of the former mill-site has been cleaned up. The area named OU-E (operating unit E) which includes the mill ponds, low-lying wetland and riparian areas on the eastern edge of the property is the last remaining section to be addressed.
Weaknesses in the OU-E Feasibility Study.
DTSC received over 200 comments, including strong questioning from FBHC, about the draft OU-E FS. Soliciting these comments was not a legally required step in the cleanup process, but due to community interest, DTSC asked for the public’s input. Public comments help DTSC understand general community concerns and guided its review of the draft OU-E FS. DTSC is now reviewing the revised OU-E FS. To address concerns about potential earthquakes, tsunamis, and sea-level rise, DTSC revised the FS to include:
DTSC received over 200 comments, including strong questioning from FBHC, about the draft OU-E FS. Soliciting these comments was not a legally required step in the cleanup process, but due to community interest, DTSC asked for the public’s input. Public comments help DTSC understand general community concerns and guided its review of the draft OU-E FS. DTSC is now reviewing the revised OU-E FS. To address concerns about potential earthquakes, tsunamis, and sea-level rise, DTSC revised the FS to include:
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Feasibility Study Addresses Pond 8 Dam
The revised FS adds the Pond 8 dam as a containment structure for pond sediment. DTSC is coordinating with the Division of Safety of Dams (California Department of Water Resources) on the design for the repair of the Pond 8 dam. In addition, a new feature would consist of a concrete structure installed in the center of Pond 8 to create two smaller containment areas. The Pond 8 dam would be maintained for the long-term, including annual inspections, repairs, and review of the protectiveness of the remedy every five years. It is recommended that Pond 7 also needs to remain intact. (copy here from feasibility study on difficulty of removing toxins without undermining the berm.) " Beach Berm The revised draft Feasibility Study adds the beach berm as a containment and protective structure for Ponds 6, 7, and the North Pond. The beach berm would be maintained for the long-term, including annual inspections, repairs, and review of the protectiveness of the remedy every five years." (Note that the difficulty of removing toxins without compromising the berm was not listed (?) in the Community Update May, 2018) |
Northern Mendocino coast kelp and jellyfish. Photo by Ethan Daniels.
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