Santa Susana Field Laboratory Environmental Cleanup and Closure
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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.

SSFL NASA Public Technical Meeting March 19

Published: 3/12/2014

On March 19, 2014, at the DTSC Regional Office, DTSC and NASA will provide an update on the status of soil and groundwater investigations and treatability studies for the NASA-administered portions of SSFL including:

  • Field Sampling Plan 6 for the completion of NASA's soil investigation
  • NASA's Area of Impacted Groundwater (AIG) investigation work plan at the former Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Plant site
  • NASA soil and bedrock vapor extraction treatability studies
  • Schedule update for 2014 activities required under the 2010 DTSC-NASA Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

If you are unable to attend the meeting the call-in number is:
Phone: (877) 327-2796
Passcode 259-7462

The DTSC Regional Office is located at 9211 Oakdale Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

NASA Releases 2013 Year in Review

Published: 2/2/2014

The 2013 Year in Review summarizes the activities of a year of progress in the cleanup of land NASA administers in two areas of Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL). We continue to make frequent contact during the year with community members and interested stakeholders.

SSFL FieldNOTE – October 2013

Published: 10/29/2013

We are providing periodic updates about our cleanup efforts at SSFL. This fourth newsletter online edition focuses on a recently completed stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) we constructed on NASA-administered land at SSFL. This construction will improve stormwater quality and conveyance from the ELV Service area as it moves to the SSFL Outfall 009. Also featured is a description of the innovative “green” engineering and technologies NASA used in construction, and an explanation of how the BMP operates.

NASA notifies DTSC of application to transfer operational control from Boeing to NASA for Hazardous Waste Facility Post-Closure Permit

Published: 10/1/2013

On October 3, 2013, NASA submitted a permit modification to request DTSC to approve the operator transfer from Boeing to NASA with regard to the Hazardous Waste Facility Post-Closure Permit. In addition to this public notice, DTSC is mailing the notice to the contacts on its facility mailing list and to appropriate State and local agencies. This permit modification requires approval from DTSC prior to implementation.

Presentation at DEIS Public Comment Meetings

Published: 9/4/2013

NASA presented these slides at the Public Comment meetings on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 in West Hills, Calif.

Public Comment Period extended for NASA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for an additional 15 days. Now Closes October 1, 2013.

Published: 8/20/2013

Public Comment Period extended for NASA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for an additional 15 days. Now Closes October 1, 2013.

The NASA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for demolition and environmental cleanup activities of property administered by NASA at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California is now available for review.

Published: 8/2/2013 The Public Comment Period closes on September 16, 2013October 1, 2013.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is available online and in printed form at the Information Repositories, listed below. The Notice of Availability (NOA) has been published in the Federal Register.

Links to online documents:

A limited number of copies of the DEIS are available on a first-come basis. To obtain a copy, contact Allen Elliott, SSFL Program Director, by phone at (256) 544-0662 or by e-mail at msfc-ssfl-eis@mail.nasa.gov.

Your comments on the NASA DEIS must be submitted on or before September 16, 2013October 1, 2013, and may be submitted in the following ways:

  • In writing to Allen Elliott, SSFL Program Director, NASA MSFC AS01, Building 4494, Huntsville, AL 35812;
  • Via e-mail to msfc-ssfl-eis@mail.nasa.gov;
  • By oral public comment at one of two public meetings at the following times and location. The public comment meetings are for the public to hear a summary of the DEIS and to provide comments on the record for NASA’s consideration.
Public Comment Meetings
Date and Time Address City
Tuesday, 8/27/13
2 - 4 p.m. 		Auditorium, Corporate Pointe,
8413 Fallbrook Avenue,
West Hills, CA 91304 		West Hills, California
Wednesday, 8/28/13
6 - 8 p.m. 		Auditorium, Corporate Pointe,
8413 Fallbrook Avenue,
West Hills, CA 91304 		West Hills, California

Following the meetings, copies of the presentations will be available on this site. The links will be posted here when they are available.

Information Repositories

For any questions regarding the upcoming meetings, how to provide comments, or regarding other matters pertaining to NASA’s administration of land at Santa Susana Field Lab, please call Merrilee Fellows at (818) 393-0754 or contact her by email at mfellows@nasa.gov.

Past & Present: An Overview of NASA-administered Land Fact Sheet, 2013

Published: 7/3/2013

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the historical operations carried out on NASA-administered land at SSFL. It describes groundwater, surface water, and soil cleanup actions underway as part of NASA's commitment to clean up chemicals in the environment that remain from past operations.

DTSC Letter in Response to City of Simi Valley

Published: 4/19/2013

DTSC April 3, 2013, letter citing no evidence of off-site contamination from SSFL. Letterhead copy of the original email.

Note: Highlight added by NASA

April 3, 2013

The Honorable Robert O. Huber
Major of City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063-2199

DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL’S RESPONSE TO CITY OF SIMI VALLEY’S LETTER ON SANTA SUSANA FIELD LABORATORY

Dear Mayor Huber:

I would like to thank you and the Simi Valley City Council on behalf of Director Deborah Raphael for your March 4, 2013, letter regarding the cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL). I appreciate your acknowledgement of the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) role and commitment to the SSFL cleanup.

Let me assure you that DTSC continues to work and ensure that the health and safety of communities surrounding SSFL are protected. To date we have not found evidence of off-site contamination from SSFL that would pose a risk to human health or the environment. We will continue our efforts to get investigation and cleanup activities completed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Your letter identified several important issues, and I would like to take this opportunity to share DTSC’s view on them.

  1. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) completed their investigation activities in December 2012. Although they have reduced their level of effort on the SSFL project, they will continue to advise DTSC as needed. The Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the Department of Energy (DOE) identifies that increased US EPA activities will again be necessary when radionuclide cleanup activities begin. DTSC anticipates that DOE will need to reengage with the US EPA in 2015 for the radiological cleanup activities.
  2. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report is an internal document to NASA management in which the OIG reviewed NASA’s cleanup commitment at SSFL. The report reviews the cost effectiveness and practicality of the AOC that NASA management signed and spells out NASA’s role in the cleanup of SSFL. The report does not make any requirements of NASA management nor does it impact NASA’s cleanup obligations at SSFL. NASA is legally bound to honor the AOC and to cleanup the site as the responsible party.
  3. While the United States District Court’s ruling enjoined enforcement of Senate Bill 990, the court’s decision does not impact the 2010 AOCs that DTSC negotiated with DOE and NASA. DTSC is responsible for the interpretation and implementation of the AOCs and DTSC expects DOE and NASA to continue to implement actions in compliance with the agreements.
  4. The applicability and validity of Senate Bill 990 does not affect Boeing’s obligations to clean up chemical and radiological contamination on those portions of the site for which it is responsible. Boeing is legally required to clean up the contamination to a level that will protect the environment and health and safety of your community. DTSC will continue to require Boeing to fulfill that obligation.
  5. Transfer of the NASA property by the U.S. General Services Administration before the completion of cleanup activities at the site would trigger the “early transfer” provisions in the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Any proposed transfer of this nature would require the Governor of California, DTSC, and responsible state agencies to make a determination that the property is suitable for transfer and that there are adequate assurances that any response action will not be compromised or delayed.

Thank you for your interest in supporting the SSFL cleanup. DTSC will continue to review and oversee the SSFL investigation and cleanup activities in a manner that effectively protects the local communities and environment. If you have questions regarding the content of this letter, please contact me at (916) 324-3148 or via email at stewart.black@dtsc.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Stewart W. Black, P.G.
Deputy Director
Brownfields and Environmental Restoration Program.

cc: (sent via e-mail)

Mr. Mike Judge
Mayor Pro Tem
City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063
mjudge@simivalley.org

The Honorable Glen T. Becerra
Councilman
City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063
gbecerra@simivalley.org

The Honorable Keith L. Mashburn
Councilman
City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063
kmashburn@simivalley.org

The Honorable Steven T. Sojka
Councilman
City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063
ssojka@simivalley.org

Simi Valley City Manager
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063
citymanager@simivalley.org

Mr. James Purtee
Interim Assistant City Manager, Government Affairs
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063
jpurtee@simivalley.org

Ventura County Board of Supervisors
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, California 93009
clerkoftheboard@ventura.org

Mr. Allen Elliott
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Mail Code: AS10
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 34812
allen.elliott@nasa.gov

Mr. Peter Zorba
Remedial Project Manager
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Santa Susana Field Laboratory
5800 Woolsey Canyon Road, MC T-487
Canoga Park, California 91304-1148
peter.d.zorba@nasa.gov

Mr. David Dassler
The Boeing Company
5800 Woolsey Canyon Road
MC T-487
Canoga Park, California 91304-1148
david.w.dassler@boeing.com

Mr. John Jones
Federal Project Director
DOE-ETEC
4100 Guardian Street, Suite 160
Simi Valley, California 93063
john.jones@emcbc.doe.gov

Ms. Stephanie Jennings
Deputy Federal Project Director
DOE-ETEC
4100 Guardian Street, Suite 160
Simi Valley, California 93063
stephanie.jennings@emcbc.doe.gov

The Honorable Daniel M. Tangherlini
U.S. General Services Administration
1275 First St NE
Washington (NE) DC 20002-3370
daniel.tangherlini@gsa.gov

Ms. Ruth Cox
Regional Administrator
U.S. General Services Administration
450 Golden Gate Ave, Room 5W-2690
San Francisco, California 94102-3661
ruth.cox@gsa.gov

Ms. Deborah O. Raphael, Director
Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Environmental Protection Agency
1001 “I” Street, 25th Floor
Sacramento, California 95812-0806
debbie.raphael@dtsc.ca.gov

Ms. Nancy Bothwell,
Senior Staff Counsel
Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Environmental Protection Agency
1001 “I” Street, 23th Floor
Sacramento, California 95812-0806
nancy.bothwell@dtsc.ca.gov

Mr. Ray Leclerc
Assistant Deputy Director
Brownfields & Environmental Restoration Program
Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Environmental Protection Agency
8800 Cal Center Drive
Sacramento, California 95812-0806
ray.leclerc@dtsc.ca.gov

Mr. Mark Malinowski
Branch Chief
Santa Susana Field Laboratory Team
Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Environmental Protection Agency
8800 Cal Center Drive
Sacramento, California 95826
mark.malinowski@dtsc.ca.gov

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