Month: September 2014

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REMINDER Public Meeting TONIGHT on Chatham Barrel Yard Cleanup 6:30pm at the Center for the Arts Escondido

Please attend and help us cleanup our Park and Neighborhood!
It’s Time for More Action on Chatham
 Residents to Request New Strategy for Cleaning up State Superfund Site
at Tuesday Meeting in Escondido
The meeting will be held, Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 6:30-9:00 pm at the California Center for the Arts Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido.

Please watch this Ch 10 NEWS Investigation on Chatham

Please read this Letter from Supervisor Dave Roberts
Please attend this meeting Meeting info

BACKGROUND
The Chatham Barrel Yard, located at 2257 Bernardo Avenue in southwest Escondido, is the largest site in the region contaminated with toxic chlorinated hydrocarbon pollution.  Pollution at Chatham was discovered in the 1980s and it was deemed so highly contaminated that it was designated a ‘State Superfund’ site.  Over 11,000 tons of highly toxic soil was removed from the site and a groundwater treatment system was put into operation at the site. 
However, during the past several decades, plumes of contamination from the site have migrated in groundwater over a mile from the site (see map.) Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the site have contaminated local water wells and groundwater. 
The plumes are also discharging pollution into Felicita Creek at levels that violate water quality plans.  The contaminated plumes are now under most of Felicita Park, existing homes, and farmland   In addition, the plumes are migrating to the south in the direction of Lake Hodges, a drinking water storage area.
This is a tragic situation that has not been resolved in almost 20 years of remedial action.  In spite of the significant off-yard contamination problems, no active cleanup of the plume has occurred.   Local resident Ryan Salazar stated, “We have waited long enough and I would like to see the Department of Toxic Substances require more action.  It is time to do more, before it gets worse.”    Residents will be calling for a new strategy for cleanup.
The meeting will be held, Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 6:30-9:00 pm at the California Center for the Arts Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido.
Escondido Neighbors United formed this year in response to environmental and community issues in the Escondido area.  Our mission is to advance protection of communities, protection of natural resources, ensure sustainable planning and development, secure cleanup of contamination, and support of environmental justice in the Escondido area. www.escondidoneighbors.org or follow @EscoNeighbors on Twitter.


 


























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Comments DUE MONDAY on Oak Creek Housing DEIR . Please comment

Just a quick reminder that MONDAY SEPT. 29TH 5 pm is the deadline for commenting on the DEIR for the Oak Creek housing development.  Please comment on any concerns you have about the project or improvements you would like to see.  ENU is also supporting a better alternative that reduces traffic, protects wildlife, reduces traffic, and is consistent with community character…Oak PARK Alternative.  Here is a link to some of our concerns and alternatives for the project.
Issues and Alternatives to Oak Creek

Please take time to read about this and comment on it.  Your Neighborhood needs your Input!

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REMINDER Candidate Forum Tonight! Come ask questions of the Escondido Candidates

I know we’ve had a lot of meetings lately, but this is a dynamic and critically important time in the future of our City!  A lot will be determined by the results of the next election.  Our future is hanging in the balance.  Come tonight to City Hall Council Chambers and hear from the candidates for Districts 1 and 2 and the Mayor’s race.  Submit questions to be asked!!!  Here is our opportunity to get our issues the attention they need!  6pm tonight!!!!

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REMINDER Public Meeting MONDAY at 6pm on Oak Creek Housing development

Just a quick reminder about the Escondido Public Meeting tomorrow
Monday, September 22, 6 PM:  Escondido Public Meeting on Oak Creek Housing Development Draft EIR in Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway. 

 Please attend.   This is a good opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions, and provide input.  
ENU does not support the project as currently proposed.  Come and urge the city and the developers to work on a less dense alternative that is more appropriate for the area. We are hoping that improvements will be made so that the project impacts on the neighbors, future residents, and the environment will be reduced.  Please see our Action Alert here http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/action-alert-please-attend-public.html
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Chatham Barrel Yard Fact Sheet Released, Public Meeting set

Here is a copy of the new Fact Sheet on the Chatham Barrel Yard received today from Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Chatham 2014 Fact Sheet.
While we appreciate that DTSC states that they are directing the PRP Group to “investigate potential contaminant migration pathways from the Yard to Felicita Creek in an effort to stop or decrease the release of site contaminants to the creek”, we will be calling on DTSC to direct them not only to ‘investigate pathways’, but to actually take action.  We now know that TCE and other contaminants have been known and measured to be discharging into Felicita Creek since 1995. Twenty years is long enough to know that we need to do more!
Further, we are very disappointed that the Fact Sheet does not show the size or the migration of the off-site plumes. Most disappointing, it does not appear that DTSC is planning to direct any additional cleanup measures to actively clean up and stop migration of the contaminated plumes as they move through our neighborhoods.
Here is a graphic we developed based on the contour maps in the record that shows the size and migration of the 10 and 100 ppb contours. Change in Chatham related plumes 1997-2014.
It is important to remember that the level is supposed to be achieved through remediation is 5 ppb for TCE and 6 ppb for PCE.  None of this contamination is supposed to be discharging into Felicita Creek.

We will have more comments on this but we wanted to make sure you all had this information.  We urge everyone to look into this issue and attend the meeting on September 30!

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ENU September Update with Key Dates and Events

Escondido Neighbors United
September 2014 Update

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are able to stay cool in the heat.  Everyone is back to school, and a lot is going on this month.  We wanted to update you on several of our projects.  If you want to share this update with others, you can find a printable copy here: ENU September Update
OAK CREEK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
This month, we have been busy reviewing the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Oak Creek project.  The public comment period will close Sept 29, so please look at the document and comment to the city.  There are several serious problems with it.  Due to the close proximity of the site to the Park, we think an expansion of Felicita Park (supported by goals in our local County Subarea plan) should be included in any adopted plan.   Further, we don’t think that homes should be put in areas where there are potential health risks to future residents,  all data on contamination should be available, and any clean up implemented before projects are reviewed or approved.   

Please see our Action Alert here http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/action-alert-please-attend-public.html
We are proposing an alternative that includes an expanded park, healthful housing locations, reduced traffic impacts, and housing.  
CHATHAM BARREL YARD
We did a couple tours of the area with local residents and our County Supervisor Dave Roberts.  We discussed areas of impact and several issues facing our area.  We have produced, courtesy of our wonderful member, some graphics showing the movement of the plumes.   We have also responded to multiple media requests for information about the site so, Stay Tuned!  There is a public meeting on this topic set for September 30, 2014.  See info below.
We have collected over 200 signatures on our petition demanding More Action on Chatham!
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
We received a response from City Manager Clay Phillips to our recommendation on public participation.  The City also agreed to hold a public meeting on Oak Creek and requested a public meeting from DTSC on Chatham.  These are all positive steps and we appreciate them.  We still wish the city’s website was user friendly and that automatic notification would occur and we will seek a meeting with city official to discuss.
FELICITA CREEK
ENU continues to try to secure a ‘Priority designation’ for Felicita Creek in the San Dieguito Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP).  There will be another consultation committee meeting at the end of October on this issue.  We have requested a meeting with City Stormwater staff .  We will share more information on this as we receive it.
IMPORTANT DATES
There are several opportunities for community and civic engagement this month.  
1.     Oak Creek Analysis Needs Improvement
September 22, 6 PM:  Escondido Public Meeting on Oak Creek Housing Development Draft EIR in Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway. 
This is a good opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions, and provide input.  ENU does not support the project as currently proposed.  We are hoping that improvements will be made so that the project impacts on the neighbors, future residents, and the environment will be reduced.  Please see our Action Alert here http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/action-alert-please-attend-public.html
2.     Talk to the Candidates: 
September 25, 6 PM:  Escondido Candidate Forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters in Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway.
A great opportunity to learn about the candidates for Mayor and City council in this critical election year. http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/escondido-candidates-forum.html
3.     The Future of our Neighborhood Needs Your Input!   
Monday, September 29, 5PM:  Comments due on the DEIR for Oak Creek. 
You can file electronic email or written letter with:
Mr. Bill Martin, City of Escondido, Planning Division, 201 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025-2798, Fax 760-839-4313   bmartin@escondido.org 
Review the  DEIR    http://www.escondido.org/Data/Sites/1/media/pdfs/Planning/oakcreek/CD/INDEX_-_Report_Navigatoin.pdf  
Here is the Executive Summary https://www.escondido.org/Data/Sites/1/media/pdfs/Planning/oakcreek/CD/VolI-Chapter1-ExecutiveSummary.pdf  and comment to the city on your position. 
4.     We Need More Action on Chatham!
Tuesday, Sept 30, 2014, 6:30-9:00 pm:   CHATHAM BARREL YARD PUBLIC MEETING  California Center for the Arts Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and Regional Water Board will hold an informational meeting on the status of the remediation of the Chatham Barrel Yard. During the past several decades, the plumes of contamination have migrated in groundwater over a mile from the site and have contaminated local domestic water wells and groundwater.  The plumes are also discharging pollution into Felicita Creek in violation of water quality plans. 
Please join ENU in making the following requests:
·        DTSC require additional actions to activelyremediate pollution in groundwater and stop discharges to Felicita Creek.
·        County designate Felicita Creek as a Priority for Action in its Water Quality Improvement Plan.
·        Post of signs in Felicita Park about the presence of pollution in the creek so that users can make informed decisions.
·        Update Health Risk Assessment to reflect new standards and conditions.
·        Create a Community Technical Review Committee that meets regularly to improve communication and understanding about contamination from the site.  
Please find more information here:  http://www.escondidoneighbors.org/projects/chatham-barrel-yard

If you want to share this update with others, you can find a printable copy here: ENU September Update