Demolition Countdown

NASA still determining how to clean up soil, groundwater under structures

THE NEXT STEP IN CLEANUPAt top, a Coca Area test stand at Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Simi Valley is one of several that has been proposed for demolition. Above, the Bravo Area test stand will likely be retained. Both are located in SSFLs Area II, which is overseen by NASA. Photos Courtesy of M. Fellows/NASA As part of the ongoing cleanup effort at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, NASA announced May 1 that it plans to demolish several buildings on its portion of the site.

But the decision on how to clean up soil and groundwater is being delayed to allow the federal agency to look for a method that would not entail excavating almost 500,000 cubic yards of soil, according to Allen Elliott, SSFL program director.

Were hoping to find ways to treat the soil and excavate less of it, he said. Were also evaluating the extent of contamination, and (testing) should last until late fall.

Dan Hirsch, president of nuclear policy nonprofit Committee to Bridge the Gap, said he hopes NASA remains committed to cleaning up the site.

But the agencys delay on determining a strategy to handle the cleanup of soil and groundwater is troubling, he said.

If NASA is looking at alternative ways to meet their cleanup obligations, then thats fine, Hirsch added. But if they are looking for ways to break their agreement and leave most of the contaminated soil at the site, then were deeply concerned about that.

The 2,850-acre field lab, which sits in the southeast hills of Simi Valley, was used as a nuclear test site and for research in the development of ballistic missiles, roc kets and space shuttle equipment since 1947. In 1959, a portion of the field lab known as Area IV suffered a partial nuclear meltdown. Efforts to clean up the site began in 2010.

PIECE OF HISTORYRazing of the Bravo test stand at Santa Susana Field Lab has been delayed. Courtesy of M. Fellows/NASA Boeing Co. owns about 80 percent of the field lab, including Area IV. The federal government owns the remaining 20 percent of the land: all of Area II and part of Area I. NASA oversees the 20 percent portion.

NASA is one of three government agencies responsible for site cleanup. The other two agencies, which are handling Boeings portion of the site, are the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

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Demolition Countdown