News Release

Contact: Ron Baker (DTSC)
(916) 324-3142
Myrlys L. Stockdale (SWRCB)
(916) 341-5260

STATE, FEDERAL AGENCIES AGREE ON AEROJET SITE WILL SPEED CLEANUP, SECURE ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES

SACRAMENTO –Two California Environmental Protection Agencies announced today that an agreement has been reached between state and federal agencies and Aerojet (GenCorp) that will pave the way for faster cleanup of the 8,500-acre site, legally guarantee additional cleanup money and ensure that an interim safe alternative water supply is available for groundwater supplies that are or might become contaminated from pollution originating from the west side of the facility.

The Aerojet Facility, located Folsom and Rancho Cordova in eastern Sacramento County, is a rocket testing and chemical manufacturing site. Past discharge practices caused soil and groundwater contamination.

“This agreement provides adequate protection of groundwater sources, provides alternative water supplies and, enhances the timetable for clean up of the facility by Aerojet with oversight by the federal EPA, the Regional Board, and the Department of Toxic Substances Control,@ said State Water Resources Control Board Chairman Arthur G. Baggett, Jr. “In addition, it releases 3,000 acres for potential residential and commercial development.”

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and the State Attorney General’s Office ordered the company to clean up the site. The facility was designated a Superfund site in 1983 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The new agreement, a modified consent decree, will allow the Aerojet facility to be divided into smaller parts, which can easily be cleaned and provides an interim alternative water supply for residents west of the facility.

Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Ed Lowry said: “This agreement concludes four years of work by the environmental regulators, Aerojet and [the State] Attorney General. Breaking the Aerojet site into smaller units allows regulators to concentrate on the most significant threats to public health and the environment.”

Additionally, the modifications will:

• Pay for all cleanup costs;
• Submit an annual list of cleanup projects for Agency approval;
• Place land use restrictions on land that will be removed from the site under the decree; and,
• Pay for all groundwater cleanup beneath the land removed from the decree.

Release of the modified consent decree will begin a 30-day public comment period. The Regional Water Board will hold public meetings to receive comments about the modifications. The meetings will be held at the following locations:

• September 25, 2001, 7 p.m., Sacramento County Sheriff’s Substation, 10361 Rockingham Blvd., Sacramento;
• October 23, 2001, 7 p.m., Mills Middle School, 10243 Coloma Road, Rancho Cordova.

Written comments can be submitted simultaneously to:

Assistant Attorney General
Environmental and Natural Resources Division 
P.O. Box 7611 
Ben Franklin Station 
Washington D.C. 20044 

Alex MacDonald
Central Valley Regional
Water Quality Control Board
3443 Routier Road
Sacramento, Calif. 95827

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FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control to report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste or other environmental concerns at Calepa.my.salesforce-sites.com/complaints/Complaint.