TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to provide a report within
30 days concerning: 1) whether or not the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Douglas Park Project included testing the soil and groundwater for uranium and cadmium (which was coated on the trim weights to prevent corrosion) and the results of these tests; and
2) confirmation from Boeing that this radioactive material and other heavy metals were completely remediated from the soil, sufficient to safely allow residential development on top of the soil.
DISCUSSION
Last week, The Beachcomber ran the first of a two part series written by Kirt Ramirez raising the question as to whether or not the proposed Douglas Park project is environmentally safe due to allegations by Mr. Ramirez that he was exposed to "depleted uranium" while living in a camper parked on the Boeing property.
Mr. Ramirez further contends that McDonnell Douglas-Boeing utilized uraniu~ as "trim weights" in their DC-10 and 747 aircraft until the late 1980's but may not have fully disposed of the heavy metal and that it may have leached into the soil over which proposed residential and industrial developments are to be built. (FAA Advisory 20-123 confirms the placement of uranium "balance weights" in Douglas aircraft and the need to avoid handling this material.)
I have personally spoken with Mr. Ramirez who is a sincere, young man. Because of the nature of his allegations and the fact that a local newspaper has published them as a front-page story, I do believe that this issue warrants inquiry and sufficient reassurance that the proposed Douglas Park Project is safe.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN GERRIE SCHIPSKE