Red County, California

The good folks at the city of Seal Beach passed along three documents related to a meeting held last Thursday to inform the public about the progress of the ARCO/Bridgeport soil remediation project.

The first document is report by Michael Ho, Seal Beach City Engineer:

On November 19, 2009 at the Mary Wilson Library Senior Center, the City hosted a joint meeting with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) and Arco to provide information to the Bridgeport residents on the contaminated soil caused by Arco Gas Station.

City staff prepared an agenda to inform the Bridgeport residents of the current situation. The meeting outlines the history of the project (see background below), personal property value, soil remediation and personal health and safety.

Approximately 75 residents attended the meeting. OCHCA representative Richard Sanchez, Director of Environmental Programming brought his technical and public relations staff. Arco representative Darrel Faye, Project Manager brought a panel of experts which consisted of a registered geologist and toxicologist.

Residents spoke out in unison with serious concerns about personal health and action from Arco. Residents requested an immediate action plan, a Health Risk Assessment, monthly follow up meeting at the Senior Center and Arco to offer air and soil monitoring in each Bridgeport homes.

Staff will provide weekly updates. The next tentatively schedule meeting is in the third week of December 2009.

Background

The Arco Gas Station is located at 5th Street and PCH. In 1986, the underground storage tanks leaked and were removed. Significant efforts were made by Arco and OCHCA to remove the leaked contaminants and tanks. Since 1986, technology has focused not only in the soil and ground water but now in vapor caused by the leaked contaminants. In January 2009 the remaining contaminants have surfaced into a vapor form which brought to the attention of the OCHCA.

By the direction of the OCHCA, Arco install additional monitoring points, gather data and installed a temporary soil vapor extraction system. Since January 2009 the system proved to be very effective.

Based upon the additional data and proven track record of vapor extraction, OCHCA directed Arco to install a permanent system to completely removal all contaminants.

(Link added to original.)

The two additional documents are in pdf format and are supplied by ARCO:

• Bridgeport Remediation Program FAQ
• Bridgeport Remediation Program Property Value Program