The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) will be holding a public information session regarding the removal of hazardous materials located at Naval Base Point Loma. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St.
The materials are completely unrelated to the underground fuel plume on the base, the result of leaking fuel tanks.
The proposed action focuses on the excavation and disposal of exposed, near-surface and subsurface automobile shredder residue, made up of rubber, plastic, upholstery and seat cushions that were previously disposed of at the site. It is unclear whether the Navy is responsible for the deposit or if it preceded their occupation of the area.
Elevated concentrations of metals, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls found in the residue reportedly pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to the plant life of the Point Loma Ecological Conservation Area, the Pacific Ocean and human health.
A public review and comment period on the remediation plan runs through Sept. 14. Written comments should be mailed to Mr. Jason Sturm, Code OPME.JS, Naval Facility Engineering Command Southwest, Coastal IPT, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, Calif. 92132.
While asking for public input on the matter is optional, the Navy felt it was right to solicit public opinion on the matter, said Lee Saunders, public affairs officer with NAVFAC Southwest.
“We’re not doing it because it’s required, we’re doing it because we want to. We feel it’s a good proactive method to get information out to the public,” Saunders said.
The review documents supporting the site decision are available at the Point Loma Library. For more information, contact Diane Silva at (619) 532-3676.