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Cleaning up the Soil at SSFL

Published: 10/20/2020

On October 2, 2020, NASA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) documenting NASA’s decision to proceed with a soil cleanup at SSFL using Suburban Residential cleanup standards. For more information about the soil cleanup process, including information about a Suburban Residential cleanup, please view our infographic on Cleaning up Soil at the Santa Susana Field Lab.

Cleaning Up Soil at the Santa Susana Field Lab Background: The Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) is located in the Simi Hills, about thirty miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, CA. The SSFL opened in 1948 as a rocket engine research and testing facility and played a significant role in the development of the nation’s space flight program. NASA administers and is responsible for cleaning up approximately 450 acres of the 2,850-acre SSFL site. Research and testing activities have ceased, and cleanup activities are underway to remove chemicals in the environment that remain from past operations. Environmental Review Process: Federal law required NASA to complete a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental impacts of soil cleanup alternatives at SSFL, including the 2010 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) cleanup agreement with the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) using the Look-up Tables established by DTSC in 2013. In October 2020, NASA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) documenting NASA’s decision to proceed with a soil cleanup at SSFL using Suburban Residential cleanup standards. What is a Suburban Residential Cleanup? It is protective of public health and the environment and is consistent with risk-based standards applied by DTSC throughout the State of California and is the cleanup approach used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) across the nation. Would remove about 90% as much contamination as an AOC cleanup while requiring 70% less soil to be excavated and transported offsite. Preserves the site’s natural, historic, and Native American cultural resources. Allows for restoration of the natural habitat. Can be completed in 8 years compared to 25 years for an AOC cleanup. Next Steps: NASA is eager to being soil cleanup as soon as DTSC completes their Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) and approves NASA’s cleanup plans. Flow chart NASA issues ROD for soil cleanup > NASA develops soil cleanup plans > DTSC issues Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report for SSFL > DTSC issues Notice of Determination for SSFL cleanup > DTSC approves NASA’s soil cleanup plan > Soil cleanup begins

NASA Issues Record of Decision for Soil Cleanup Activities at SSFL

Published: 10/2/2020

NASA has published a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register for the Record of Decision for NASA Soil Cleanup Activities at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory .

After carefully considering the information and analysis resulting from the environmental review process, as well as the comments and recommendations received from the public, non-governmental organizations, Native American tribes, and federal, state, and local government officials, NASA’s decision is to proceed with Alternative C, Suburban Residential Cleanup, as described in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. A Suburban Residential Cleanup would be protective of public health and the environment, follow nationwide EPA guidelines, and is consistent with the cleanup standards imposed by the DTSC across the State of California.

NASA is eager to move forward with soil cleanup. NASA can finalize a soil implementation cleanup plan once the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) completes their Programmatic Environmental Impact Report and issues a decision document.

NASA Releases Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Soils

Published: 7/24/2020

NASA has issued a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register for the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Soil Cleanup at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

The Final SEIS, which evaluates the potential impacts of various soil cleanup options, reflects NASA’s careful consideration of all scientific data, as well as comments received from the public.

NASA’s highest priorities at SSFL are to protect public health, preserve cultural and environmental resources, and minimize impacts to the community. Based on the findings of the Final SEIS, NASA selected as its preferred alternative the Suburban Residential Cleanup Alternative. This alternative meets all agency priorities and is consistent with state and federal standards.

The next step in the process is for NASA to issue a formal Record of Decision for soil cleanup at Santa Susana. The agency will finalize a soil implementation cleanup plan once the California DTSC completes its own environmental impact report (Programmatic Environmental Impact Report), and issues its decision.

NASA has prepared a Fact Sheet for the Final SEIS summarizing the purpose of the Final SEIS, the Alternatives evaluated, and the Preferred Alternative. NASA has also created a webpage designed to provided more information about NASA’s responses to public comments.

Supplemental Environmental Investigation (SEIS) Public Meeting Display Boards

Published: 1/10/2020

NASA is making available to the public the display boards from the November 20 and 21, 2019 SEIS Public Meetings.

NASA Announces Extension of Public Comment Period for the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Soil Cleanup Activities at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL)

Published: 12/2/2019

NASA is extending the public comment period for the Draft SEIS for an additional 30 days. The public comment period now closes on January 8, 2020.

Public comments will continue to be accepted via email to msfc-ssfl-eis@mail.nasa.gov or by traditional mail to Peter Zorba, NASA SSFL Project Director, 5800 Woolsey Canyon Road, Canoga Park, CA 91304.

Reminder: NASA Public Meetings Regarding the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)

Published: 11/14/2019

As part of NASA’s continuing efforts to engage the public throughout the SEIS process, we invite the surrounding community and stakeholders to attend one of the following public meetings regarding the Draft SEIS:

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Best Western Posada Royale
1775 Madera Road
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Thursday, November 21, 2019
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Corporate Pointe at West Hills
8411 Fallbrook Avenue
West Hills, CA 91304

The meetings will be an open house format where the public will have the opportunity to view project display boards, interact with key NASA SSFL team members, and provide formal comments regarding the Draft SEIS in writing and/or orally to a court reporter. Meeting attendees are welcome to arrive and depart to this open house event at their convenience.

The comment period continues until December 9, 2019, and the public, including those unable to attend a public meeting, can submit formal comments via email to msfc-ssfl-eis@mail.nasa.gov or via mail to Peter Zorba, NASA SSFL Project Director, 5800 Woolsey Canyon Road, Canoga, Park, CA, 91304.

NASA’s Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Soil Cleanup Activities at Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) is Now Available for Review

Published: 10/25/2019

NASA has issued a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register for the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) that evaluates the impacts reasonable soil cleanup alternatives would have on the community and the natural and cultural resources found at SSFL. The Draft SEIS has been prepared because there are significant new circumstances relevant to environmental concerns since the original Environmental Impact Statement was published in 2014.

NASA has prepared a Fact Sheet for the Draft SEIS summarizing the purpose and need for a SEIS, the Alternatives evaluated, and a brief overview of the findings.

Public comments on the Draft SEIS will be accepted October 25 - December 9, 2019 and can be submitted via email to Peter Zorba, SSFL Project Director, at msfc-ssfl-eis@mail.nasa.gov . Please see the NOA for a list of locations where a hard copy of the document can be reviewed.

As part of NASA’s continuing efforts to engage the public throughout the SEIS process, we invite you to attend one of the following public meetings regarding the Draft SEIS, where the public can ask questions about the document, and have the opportunity to provide comments:

Simi Valley:
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Best Western Posada Royale
1775 Madera Road
Simi Valley, CA 93065
San Fernando Valley:
Thursday, November 21, 2019
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Corporate Pointe at West Hills
8411 Fallbrook Avenue
West Hills, CA 91304

NASA releases Record of Decision (ROD) for Groundwater Cleanup Activities

Published: 10/17/2018

NASA has published a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register for the Record of Decision for NASA Groundwater Cleanup Activities at Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL).

Guided by groundwater investigations and treatability studies, NASA is eager to move forward on groundwater cleanup plans. The Record of Decision (ROD) for NASA Groundwater Cleanup Activities at SSFL outlines NASA’s decision to proceed with groundwater cleanup technologies and strategies described in the 2014 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), Proposed Demolition and Environmental Cleanup Activities at the SSFL and serves to pave the way and accelerate groundwater cleanup activities in NASA-administered areas. The groundwater cleanup activities described in the ROD are intended to prevent contaminant exposure to human and biological receptors, reduce the potential for plume migration, and reduce contaminant sources. The results of completed groundwater investigations and treatability studies will guide the development of specific groundwater cleanup plans.

NASA releases Record of Decision (ROD) for Environmental Impact Statement

Published: 5/1/2014

The Record of Decision (ROD) for NASA’s SSFL Environmental Impact Statement is now available. NASA’s decision is to proceed with the demolition of non-historic structures and the Coca Test Stand Historic District as described in Section 2 of the final EIS. Proceeding with demolition activity now will move NASA forward toward complying with the state orders, while recognizing that new information could increase efficiency in reaching the required cleanup levels. NASA will not proceed with any soil or groundwater cleanup activities identified in the Proposed Action until the technology feasibility studies and field sampling characterization are complete and another Record of Decision related to the cleanup activities is issued. This information will inform NASA’s decision on the specific remedy approaches across the site.

The Programmatic Agreement between NASA, California State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is an attachment to the ROD.

Record of Decision (ROD)

NASA publishes Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on demolition and cleanup

Published: 3/14/2014

The Notice of Availability for the NASA Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for demolition and environmental cleanup activities of property administered by NASA at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California has been published in the Federal Register.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement can be found on the Key Documents page.

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