EPA FAULTS DOE CLEANUP AT FIELD LAB.

Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer

The Department of Energy has failed to fulfill its promise to meet stringent standards in cleaning up the former nuclear research site at the Santa Susana Field Lab, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a letter released Monday.

The DOE's final cleanup plan does not aim for a 1-in-a-million cancer risk as required by federal standards, despite a commitment to the community to do so, EPA Waste Management Division Associate Director Arlene Kabei wrote in a letter. In addition, the 290-acre portion of the Boeing lab in the Simi Hills would not be safe for future residential use.

While Kabei could not be reached for comment, neighbors of the field laboratory said her letter clearly pointed out the difference between what the EPA is expecting and what the DOE is willing to do.

``This is a fundamental line in the sand, with the federal environmental agency saying this site isn't safe to release,'' said Dan Hirsch, a nuclear watchdog who sits on the work group overseeing the cleanup. ``This really puts the ball in the lap of legislators to force resolution of the two.''

Despite Kabei's concerns, DOE officials repeated earlier statements that they are meeting stringent cleanup requirements at the former nuclear research lab, saying the decontamination plan does meet EPA standards and is fully protective of human health and the environmental.

``The final cleanup level is well within risk range,'' said DOE Project Manager Mike Lopez, adding that he would specifically address the EPA's letter at a work group meeting Wednesday night.

With the two agencies at loggerheads, Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks, is writing a letter to EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt on the future of the agency's involvement at the Santa Susana Field Lab.

``There have been rough spots in the past. There may be an impasse here,'' Gallegly spokesman Tom Pfeifer said Monday. ``That's why he's once again going to Mr. Leavitt to seek a solution.''

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office said Monday she is writing a letter to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham asking DOE to comply with the EPA's guidelines.

The debate over the cleanup at the lab centers on a few key issues, namely whether an independent survey will be done to determine the extent of soil contamination at the site and how much contaminated soil the DOE eventually has to remove.

The DOE is charged with demolishing and removing buildings where nuclear research was conducted from from the 1950s to 1990s. The property is now owned by the Boeing Co.

The EPA was brought as an independent consultant to oversee the work. The federal environmental agency had serious concerns with DOE and Boeing reports on nuclear contamination at the lab and committed to doing an independent survey analyzing radiation in the soil - if the DOE would pay the bill.

The DOE decided in September not to fund the study, which has since been canceled.

Without more information of soil contamination, EPA officials said they are not convinced the DOE plan to remove just 2 percent of the nuclear contamination is sufficient.

``They've done considerable amount of characterization,'' EPA project manager Michael Feeley said of the soil surveys. ``But from what we know now, we still think that is incomplete.

For that reason, the EPA is also recommending against building homes on the property some day for fear of radiation exposure. Limited picnicking or camping or other day-use recreational activities would be OK.

Kerry Cavanaugh

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

The cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory will be discussed, 6:30-10 p.m. Wednesday at the Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley.

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IF YOU GO (see text)