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| Air Force dumps dirty water into Fitzgerald By David F. Smydra Jr. [ david@hmbreview.com ] Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 2:03 PM PDT In October of 2004, a California agency chided Vandenberg Air Force Base — which has an installation on Pillar Point — for discharging dirty storm water into the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, recently released documents show. The water reaches the reserve via a system of man-made trenches and gutters on Pillar Point that empty out onto the beach. Following at least two studies conducted on the matter, Air Force officials are now proposing to solve the problem by redirecting the water — tainted with high levels of nitrogen, copper, zinc and fecal coliform — into Pillar Point Harbor. “It is the most feasible alternative given its site applicability; minimized requirements for subsurface excavation, drilling and boring; low risk for slope failure; and cost of completion,” reads an Air Force notice to nearby local, state and federal agencies. Hooey, says the San Mateo County Harbor District. Officials describe the proposed solution as nothing more than moving dirty water from one side of the hill to the other. “In any area, harbor or bay, just dumping the stuff is not acceptable,” said Peter Grenell, the district’s general manager. By directing the storm water into the harbor, Grenell said, “the stuff doesn’t get a chance to dissipate and go away.” “It’s just totally ridiculous,” said Dan Temko, Pillar Point harbormaster. “Basically you read this thing and it says we’ll solve the problem by pouring it somewhere else.” Calls placed to Garry Sanchez, the contact person listed in the Air Force’s study and proposal, were not returned in time for this story. Other Vandenberg officials with knowledge of the matter were not available for comment, according to the base’s public affairs office. Grenell has already written a reply to the Air Force, saying that the district “respectfully but strongly oppose(s) your selection of ‘Diversion into Pillar Point Harbor’ as the proposed remedial action.” The letter goes on: “The proposed action will create a hazard to human health by discharging contaminated water into the bay where human water contact is common.” Relevant documents include a set of proposals and environmental studies performed by the consulting firm Tetra Tech, Inc., based in Santa Maria. Based on two instances of on-site testing conducted in February of 2006 and 2007, the storm water that currently enters Fitzgerald Marine Reserve contains as much as 81.9 milligrams of nitrogen per liter of water. Normal levels would top out at 0.4 milligrams. The water also contains between two and four times the normal amount of copper. Readings for zinc were extremely high, registering 297 milligrams per liter on one day, and 166 milligrams on another. The ideal limit is 90 milligrams. By far the most striking test result, however, is the numbers for fecal coliform. Normal levels of fecal coliform would top out at 230 units per 100 milliliters. On Feb. 17, 2006, the test determined amounts to be over 1,600 units; a year later, the amounts topped 41,000 units. Although they are generally not harmful themselves, fecal coliforms indicate the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that also live in human and animal digestive systems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the presence of high fecal coliform levels are associated with decreased oxygen levels in water and that can reduce the number of fish present. Tests for other metals and contaminants such as cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury all came back normal. “Based on the distance between the proposed and alternative runoff sites ... there are no direct significant impacts expected from the storm water runoff,” the study reads, in part. The study was released in concert with a 30-day comment period that began in early March when the Air Force announced its proposed solution to the problem. The State Water Resources Control Board set things in motion when it notified Vandenberg in 2004 that the base was in violation of the California Ocean Plan, which regulates ocean water quality. Grenell said the harbor district may eventually be in favor of a plan to direct the storm water into the harbor, but not before it is treated. “The one thing you have in the harbor that you don’t have on the ocean side is human contact,” he said. “They would be opening up the possibility of exposure of people to contaminants, and the harbor district could be potentially liable.” |