Re: [CPEO-MEF] Munitions, FUDS: Western Stove site, San Bernardino (CA)

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

From Susan V. Walker svwalker@gmail.com

July 14, 2009

Dear Program Manager Lloyd Godard:

The Press-Enterprise reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study 
says San Bernardino residents don't have to worry about soil or 
groundwater contamination from a World War II weapons plant at the north 
end of the city.  However, there was no groundwater testing done, so 
that conclusion is baseless. In the newspaper article, San Bernardino 
Municipal Water District general manager Stacy Aldstadt said that while 
the water table is normally deep in that region, it can rise 
significantly when there is heavy runoff during a wet winter. 
Groundwater testing needs to be done before we can conclude that 
residents are safe.

The paper revealed the study area is sandwiched between the arms of an 
identified contaminated plume of underground water. Identified in the 
early 1980s, the water was found to have elevated levels of 
perchlorethylene and trichloroethylene. A series of groundwater 
treatment plants was completed in 1998 as part of a Superfund project. 
However, Manager Godard stated he did not know of this contaminated 
groundwater plume. His lack of knowledge shows that an inadequate 
assessment of the contaminated area took place.  It makes sense if there 
are two plumes cradling the study area that  there could be a plume in 
the middle as well.  The groundwater should be tested.

Southern California has many significant Perchlorate contaminated areas 
often from military activities. This study of the weapons plant did not 
include soil and groundwater testing of Perchlorate. Perchlorate tests 
should be done to complete the study.

Sincerely,

Susan V. Walker



Lenny Siegel wrote:
> No weapons-related residue found at San Bernardino site
>
>
> By MARK MUCKENFUSS
> Riverside Press-Enterprise (CA)
> June 30, 2009
>
> A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study says San Bernardino residents don't 
> have to worry about soil or groundwater contamination from a World War 
> II weapons plant at the north end of the city.
>
> The study, performed by Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Group Inc, 
> a Georgia-based company, is part of an ongoing effort by the Army Corps 
> to assess munitions sites throughout the nation.
>
> In 1942, Western Stove Co. contracted with the military to make various 
> types of incendiary bombs and hand grenades. The plant was located at 
> the end of a short railroad spur near Mount Vernon Avenue and 27th Street.
>
> ...
>
> For the entire article, see
> http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_weapons01.3774bfb.html 


--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org



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