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SUPERFUND NO FURTHER ACTION PROGRAM HELPS 3628 VALLEY COMPANIES

Release Date: 3/26/1998
Contact Information: Randy Wittorp, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1589, Karen Caesar, RWQCB, (213) 266-7569

           
 Innocent Southland Companies Cleared from Ground Water Cleanup
                               
     SAN FRANCISCO/LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board announced today that 3628 businesses will not be held responsible for ground water contamination in the San Fernando Valley Superfund site.  Letters were sent out today to notify the companies.

     "U.S. EPA is retooling the Superfund program to make it as fair and efficient as possible," said Keith Takata, U.S. EPA's regional Superfund director.  "Innocent companies located near a Superfund site should be released from financial liability for the contamination.  With these letters, over 3000 companies in the San Fernando Valley can now rest assured they will never receive a bill for this cleanup."

     The U.S. EPA and the Regional Water Quality Control Board have worked together inspecting sites and determining whether or not companies used few or no chemicals associated with the ground water contamination problems to relieve businesses from cleanup obligations based on site inspections and a determination that the in the San Fernando Valley.

     "This is a clear demonstration that government agencies can work together efficiently and effectively to benefit the local economy and the public.  These letters should give the assurance needed by business owners that they will not be held accountable for pollution they did not cause," said Dennis Dickerson, executive officer of the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

     Along with 2984 businesses that have previously received notices, the total number of businesses cleared from responsibility for ground water contamination has reached 3628.  The Regional Water Quality Control Board investigates thousands of properties in the San Fernando Valley and has oversight of soil remediation.  The board also sets standards for soil cleanups and surface and ground water quality.

     Since the San Fernando Valley sites were placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in 1986, U.S. EPA has reached agreements with more than 80 companies to participate in the cleanup of the contamination. The National Priorities List is the U.S. EPA's list of hazardous waste sites potentially posing the greatest long-term threat to public health and the environment.

     The San Fernando Valley Superfund Site extends from North Hollywood to Glendale/Pollock.  Millions of gallons of the Valley's ground water became contaminated over a period of many years through the improper disposal of solvents used in metal finishing and other manufacturing processes.  Treatment facilities are operational in North Hollywood and Burbank and under construction in Glendale.
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