12. Citizens’ Complaints Committee

Recommendations 1

• R2

  Page 166
  3 (2009–2010) LADWP should continue maximum efforts to obtain United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) funding for the cleanup of the San Fernando Basin Aquifer. LADWP’s Sustainability and Economic Development Officer. LOS ANGELES COUNTY 2014–2015 CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT LADWP’s written response to the Los Angeles County 2009–2010 Civil Grand Jury on November 22, 2010 LADWP agrees with the finding. LADWP agrees and continues to work with and engage the USEPA to effect cleanup of the San Fernando Basin (SFB). CGJ’s written questions to LADWP on February 10, 2015 What progress has LADWP made in obtaining funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to effect cleanup of the SFB? Please indicate the funding amounts received from the potentially responsible parties since 2010. Please indicate the status of the North Hollywood Operable Unit (NHOU) Second Interim Remedy (RI2) and monitoring wells including their location, construction, and operational dates. LADWP’s written response to the 2014–2015 CGJ on March 3, 2015 USEPA has designated three Superfund areas in the easterly portion of the SFB; a fourth SuperFund area was also designated within the Verdugo Basin, a neighboring sub-basin within the Upper Los Angeles River Area watershed.8 USEPA have implemented three groundwater remediation facilities—the NHOU, the Burbank Operable Unit, and the Glendale North and South Operable Units. Our response is limited to the NHOU, since this facility is located within the city of Los Angeles (city) and primarily affects solely LADWP’s use of its water rights in SFB. LADWP continues to work closely with USEPA on SFB remediation, and our ongoing collaboration is currently focused on NHOU remediation facility, which began operating in 1989 and now requires replacement. USEPA issued a Record of Decision for RI2 in 2009, requiring a new remediation facility. The responsible parties have submitted work plans to USEPA and are currently conducting its remedial design investigation to determine the appropriate size and scope of the replacement facility. Expected construction and operational dates for the RI2 facility is 8 The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as the Superfund, was enacted by congress on Dec. 11, 1980. This law created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and provided broad federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. Over five years, $1.6 billion was collected, and the tax went to a trust fund for cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. http://www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/cercla.htm. LOS ANGELES COUNTY 2014–2015 CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT subject to completing their investigation and are undetermined at this time. Responsible parties have also completed installation of 33 groundwater monitoring wells in 2013, and they use these wells to collect samples of groundwater for laboratory analysis. Funding for the NHOU is provided through the USEPA Superfund Program, which reimburses 90 percent of the operating costs. Funds are provided by the responsible parties to USEPA, which then reimburses LADWP based on actual expenditures. Since January 1, 2010, responsible parties have provided $2,082,283 in reimbursements through December 31, 2014. Notes taken from 2014–2015 CGJ’s telephonic conversation on April 17, 2015, clarifying LADWP’s March 3, 2015, response NHOU needs to be replaced—it will be replaced by RI2. USEPA issued a Record of Decision for RI2 in 2009, requiring a new remediation facility. The responsible parties have submitted work plans to USEPA and are currently conducting a remedial design investigation to determine the appropriate size and scope of the replacement facility. Expected construction and operational dates for the RI2 facility are subject to completing the investigation and are undetermined at this time. The Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) are Honeywell, Lockheed, and minor PRPs. The PRPs have installed 33 groundwater monitoring wells in 2013. Some are inside and around Home Depot, and others are near NHOU at 11845 Vose in North Hollywood. The PRPs send the groundwater samples for laboratory analysis. LADWP operates NHOU. LADWP agrees upon a work plan budget for NHOU operating costs for the year (personnel, electricity—direct and indirect costs). The PRPs give 100 percent of the budget to USEPA, and USEPA reimburses LADWP 90 percent. LADWP received $2,082,283 in reimbursements through December 31, 2014 from USEPA. The RI2 will clean up four primary contaminants—1.44 Dioxane, Hexavalent Chromium, Trichloroethylene, and Tetrachloroethylene. The City Attorney is coordinating with the USEPA and the engineers.