[CPEO-MEF] Army Needs To Own Hamilton Wetlands Problem

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

California
COASTAL POST ONLINE
Army Needs To Own Hamilton Wetlands Problem
By Elena Belsky
September, 2003

In many ways, literally and figuratively, the Army Base Re-use And
Closure (BRAC) division needs to "own" the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration
Project (HWRP). The HWRP is a proposed wetlands plan that includes tidal
action and sloughs, creating an enhanced habitat to attract migratory
fish and birds, many of them endangered species. Everyone is in favor of
reclaiming more wetlands, but shouldn't these wetlands be safe for the
creatures you're attracting to them? The former military base on which
the HWRP is planned contains many remaining contaminants that could be
harmful to wildlife-in particular, DDT's-which Hamilton has in
abundance.

In the August Coastal Post article "Army Plays Games On Hamilton Toxic
Cleanup", readers were advised of the continued failure of the Army BRAC
and Army Corps of Engineers (ACoE is a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Army) to provide complete, reliable and workable solutions in the most
critical planning documents that will create the wetlands. No one
involved has any remaining illusions that the HWRP site will ever be
completely "clean" and free of toxics. Not only does the Army need to
take responsibility for the decades of toxic chemicals the military has
discharged into the land, groundwater, coastal salt marsh and San Pablo
Bay, but for the future reconstructed wetlands.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.coastalpost.com/03/09/06.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CPEO: A DECADE OF SUCCESS.  Your generous support will ensure that our 
important work on military and environmental issues will continue.  
Please consider one of our donation options.  Thank you.
http://www.groundspring.org/donate/index.cfm?ID=2086-0|721-0