[CPEO-MEF] Lassen County letter regarding Sierra Army Depot

[rama@accutek.com]

The following is the letter from the Lassen County Board of Supervisors
regarding the open pit destruction of munitions at the Sierra Army Depot.  For
over a decade the California DTSC is has been processing a RCRA Part B and
other permits for the facility located in Herlong, CA.

RAMA beleives they have raised significant issues that must be addressed by the
State of Californinia, especially concerns regarding cumulative impacts. As
Depot officials and documention states the Depot attempts to wait to do blasts
when the prevailing winds will blow the plumes into Nevada.  Downwind, just
over the hill, is the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. Pyramid Lake hosts the
endangered cui-cui fish. This is clealry an Environmental Justice issue which
has not been adequately addressed by the DTSC or the Army.

Grace Marie Potorti
Director
Rural Alliance for Military Accountability (RAMA)
P.O. Box 60036
Reno, NV 89506
Phone: 775-677-7001
Fax: 775-677-7001*
E-mail: rama@accutek.com
Website: http://www.rama-usa.org



Board of Supervisors

County of Lassen

WILLIAM D. BIXBY, Administrative Officer
County Administration Center
221 South Roop Street, Suite 4
Susanville, CA 96130
Phone: (530) 251-8333
FAX: (530) 257-4898

District 1 
ROBERT F . PYLE
District 2
AM CHAPMAN
District 3
LLOYD I. KEEFER
District 4
BRIAN D. DANLE
District 5
EVERD A. McCain


October 26, 1999

Mr. Robert Crandall, Section Chief
Land Disposal Branch
Department of Toxic Substances Control
10151 Croydon Way, Suite 3
Sacramento, CA 95827-2106

Subject: Sierra Army Depot Hazardous Waste Facility Permit. Lassen County

Dear Mr. Crandall:

As a result of the concerns expressed by Lassen County residents regarding the
open detonation of munitions at the Sierra Army Depot, the Board of Supervisors
requests that you address the following during your permitting process:

1. The current method of open detonation of munitions at the Sierra Army Depot
results in the dispersion of toxic chemicals by way of smoke plumes.  Such
chemicals dispersed include but are not limited to: lead, mercury, arsenic,
antimony, beryllium, cadmium, nickel, and dioxins. As part of the permit
process, we are requesting that the accumulated toxic effects resulting from
the dispersion of toxic chemicals on the communities of Lassen County be
addressed.

2. It has been the practice to monitor the toxic effects of the dispersion of
toxic chemicals through a computer generated model. In addition to this method,
we are requesting that real air, water, and soil samples be taken at various
sites in the communities of Lassen County and samples of fish at Honey Lake be
analyzed for chemicals since they are ideal receptors of mercury, lead, and
arsenic.

3. Studies indicate that cancer cases diagnosed in Lassen County residents
(Region 6) exceed other communities in the state of California. The data we are
using is provided by the California Cancer Registry. We are also concerned with
the high number of autoimmune diseases affecting the County's residents which
may be associated with dioxins and PCBs generated by open detonation.
Therefore, we are requesting that an epidemiology study be conducted in the
communities of Lassen County to determine the effects of the open detonation of
munitions.

4. In accordance with the permit process, we request that alternative
technologies to open detonation of munitions be examined and included in your
review.

The Board of Supervisors appreciates your quick response to the concerns raised
by the citizens of Lassen County. Should you have any questions, please call me
at (530) 251-8333.

Sincerely,

FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

JIM CHAPMAN Chairman



cc: Honorable Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senator
 Honorable Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator
 Honorable Wally Herger, U.S. Congressman
 Honorable Tim. Leslie, CA State Senator
 Honorable Sam Aartestad, CA State Assemblyman
 Mr. Winston H. Hickox, Secretary for Environmental Protection
 Mr. Larry Rogers, Public Affairs Officer, Sierra Army Depot


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