BOEING HAS PLAN FOR PERCHLORATE.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - The Boeing Co. pledged to sink new wells, expand groundwater testing and study new ways to contain perchlorate at its Rocketdyne test site, according to a preliminary plan released Tuesday.

But in response to a state order that it evaluate the source of off-site contamination, Boeing questioned the existence of the chemical on adjacent Brandeis-Bardin Institute land.

``We think that the report once again makes the point that perchlorate can't be traced to Rocketdyne,'' said company spokesman Dan Beck, who declined to discuss the report on grounds that it spoke for itself.

The Boeing Perchlorate Characterization Work Plan was mailed late Monday to the state Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Regional Water Quality Control Board and other agencies.

The DTSC had ordered the probe last June after it and other agencies detected unsafe levels of the contaminant at a site known as Bathtub Well 1 on Brandeis-Bardin Institute property, less than a mile north of the rocket and nuclear test site.

The find marked the first perchlorate discovered between the hilltop lab and 18 wells containing the chemical on the Simi Valley floor.

Boeing reported that subsequent tests in July and August of the Bathtub Well, a half-submerged tub once used to water cattle, found no perchlorate whatsoever.

An official from the DTSC reported a wide range of sample results - some containing perchlorate - since June.

A final plan outlining how Boeing will conform to an order by state toxic regulators that it study the potential plume via monitoring wells and a geologic assessment is expected before the end of the year.

``Eventually, we'll come up with the plan that we want,'' said Ron Baker, spokesman for the DTSC. ``On a general basis, we'll look for whether or not they meet (our) request.''

The Boeing draft, prepared by MWH in Pasadena, called for four new wells on the north side of its laboratory and extensive monitoring of the Bathtub Well and dozens of other wells.

It also called for sediment sampling at more than 60 locations as well as tests of water runoff from those locations. An evaluation of the hydrogeology of the area, and how to contain known quantities of perchlorate, is also in the works.

Perchlorate - a chemical linked to thyroid dysfunction - has been previously detected at the Rocketdyne field laboratory at levels 400 times those considered safe.

Dana Bartholomew, [phone]

dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO:

The Regional Water Quality Control Board will update the public on perchlorate contamination during meetings at 7-9 p.m. today at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.; and Thursday at Simi Valley City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. For more information, visit the Web site www.swrcb.ca.gov/*rwqcb4/html/perchlorate.html.

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