INTRODUCTION
At the core of the City lies a former industrial site. The
988.6 acre site was used for approximately 80 years as a military
flare and munitions manufacturing facility. Manufacturing
operations stopped in 1987. As a result of these manufacturing
operations, the site is contaminated with various chemical
compounds, including perchlorates and heavy metals, solvents
and perhaps remnants of fired munitions (also known as ordnance).
Chemical compounds left in the soil have traveled downward
into the Valley’s groundwater system. Specifically,
perchlorate has reached groundwater that is part of the City’s
drinking water supply. As a result, four drinking water wells
have been closed. Extensive clean-up of the site and groundwater
is needed to reduce risk to public health and safety and to
allow the site to be reused in the future.
The City Council has assembled
a team of experts and staff to work with community partners
and stakeholders to get the property cleaned as quickly as
possible. The purpose of this web page is to inform the community
about the status of the clean-up and reuse of the property
and groundwater. This page will be updated continually with
new information.
LOCATION MAP
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED
14 POINT ACTION PLAN
1. Continue compliance review process of the
Porta Bella Development Agreement.
2. Require Whittaker Corporation to clean the property to
the “unrestricted use” clean-up standard.
3. Conduct due diligence on Cherokee and/or any new potential
property owner.
4. Evaluate Whittaker Corporation’s historic insurance
for remediation funding.
5. Regularly update the public.
6. Conduct a site tour with the Department of Toxic Substances
Control.
7. Monitor Army Corps of Engineers’ projects.
8. Pursue federal, state and local funds for clean-up.
9. Coordinate multi-jurisdictional stakeholder group.
10. Pursue discussion with lien holders.
11. Pursue legislative support for an expedited action plan.
12. Consider involving other regulatory agencies in motivating
clean-up.
13. Conduct research on other successful perchlorate clean-up
projects.
14. Monitor Castaic Lake Water Agency lawsuit against Santa
Clarita, LLC and Whittaker Corporation.
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