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EPA, NAVY REACH PACT ON CONCORD CLEANUP

Release Date: 8/1/2001
Contact Information: Leo Kay, Press Office, 415/744-2201

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Navy recently signed an agreement that sets enforceable deadlines and a formal regulatory framework for the Superfund cleanup of the 12,800-acre Concord Naval Weapons Station in California.
     
     The pact, known as a "federal facility agreement," includes a listing of environmental documents that have been or will be prepared, an enforceable schedule for environmental investigation and cleanup work, and a process for dispute resolution.

     "This agreement will provide us with a useful tool in helping EPA to continue to provide oversight of the Navy cleanup of Concord Naval Weapons Station," said Keith Takata, director of the EPA's regional Superfund program.  "The EPA, the state and the Navy will work together  to ensure that the necessary response actions are taken to clean up the site."
     
     The federal facilities agreement is available for review during a public comment period that ends Sept. 10.  The document is available at the Contra Costa County Library main branch and also from the EPA by calling 1-800-213-3075.

     As part of the agreement,the Navy and the EPA will establish by Aug. 13 the schedule for the remaining cleanup activities to be performed at the site.

     The U.S. EPA designated the weapons station, which  has been used for munitions shipment and storage, as a federal Superfund site in 1992.   Its soil, sediments, and surface water are contaminated with heavy metals including zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, and arsenic, as well as pesticides.  Ingesting or coming into direct contact with contaminated soil, sediment, or surface water may pose a potential health threat, as well as a risk to area wetlands and endangered species such as the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse and the California Clapper Rail.