Unsupervised remediation at military bases...

[zweifel@nexus.chapman.edu]

Posting from Don Zweifel <zweifel@nexus.chapman.edu>
Subject: Unsupervised remediation at military bases...

To all interested parties on the Net:

 Some of you may already be aware that unsupervised or 
proper oversight of remediation efforts at many military installations 
earmarked for this program will probably come to a screeching, grinding halt
if the Defense Appropriations Bill is not amended sufficiently.

 A case in point: The Dept. of the Navy (DON) requested $8 million 
for continued clean-up at MCAS, Tustin, Ca. We have some very serious 
contamination of our soil and localized pollution of the groundwater. 
These facts don't seem to interest Congress. They funded only $535,000.00.
Our BEC (BRAC Environmental Coordinator) will probably be laid off or at 
best reassigned. There won't be anyone on base with sufficient authority 
and expertise to monitor the prime contractor and her subs, ergo 
they'll essentially be free to potentially cut corners if there's a project 
deadline that they don't believe they can comfortably meet on time. 

 That's not all. The USEPA and CALEPA RPM's (Remedial Program 
Managers) for all military bases in California may be laid-off due to 
the funding short-fall. This basically means that no oversight will exist 
and Bechtel, et al will not have anyone with any appreciable clout looking 
over their shoulders. They'd probably love it but we will be the real losers
in the end if something isn't done.

 You all know what needs doing so please call or write your 
congressperson and or senators. If we don't call then let's forget about
remediation.

 Don Zweifel