Letters – November 1, 2019

To whoever smashed my car window

…and took my bag of knitting while I was hiking Los Liones Trail in Topanga State Park (Friday, October 18, evening). I would suggest you unravel the white baby sweater and start again with at least six more stitches. It really is too small even for a newborn. It’s not indicated on the pattern, but I was planning to repeat the lacy hole look on the sleeves, about an inch after the cuff ribbing. If you don’t know the technique, check out some knitting videos by searching on “Yarn Over.” It is the same idea as knitting buttonholes (pretty easy, in fact), except you are doing an entire row of them.

I hope it turns out well. Perhaps you could send me a photo when it’s finished. Oh yes, and don’t forget to include the $400 you owe me for the replacement window, Jerk.

Sincerely,

Andrea Ehrgott

 

Wildlife Poisoning Solution

I read an article on Messenger Mountain News covering the two recently deceased mountain lions. It’s sad that these apex predators are being killed by our widespread rodenticide use.

Our company is inspired by a need for safe and humane nuisance rodent control. We distribute a really unique rat and mouse trap that is poison-free and certified humane. The trap is also self-resetting so it is very low-maintenance and a great substitute for harmful rodenticides.

I thought your readers would be interested to learn about this innovative solution. With fall upon us, now is the time rodents really start causing problems for many people. Shoot me an email with any questions: ben.smith@automatictrap.com.

Ben Smith

 

Greetings from DTSC to DOE

I saw your story today (“The Next Phase of Santa Susana Field Laboratory Cleanup,” messengermountainnews.com, October 18, 2019) and wanted to send you a link to this letter that [the Department of Toxic Substances Control] DTSC has sent to [Department of Energy] DOE: (dtsc-ssfl.com/files/lib_doe_area_iv/correspondence/69032_SSFL_SOP_Requirements_Letter_to_DOE_191016.pdf)

  • DTSC is committed to expediting the cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.
  •  DOE may not demolish any Area IV buildings at SSFL without DTSC approval.
  •  DTSC will continue to hold DOE to the requirements of the 2010 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) agreement.
  •  DTSC will ensure that any building demolition in Area IV and disposal of debris, proceeds in a health-protective manner.
  •  DTSC’s letter reaffirms our commitment to proper oversight of this cleanup so that it can proceed safely, yet expeditiously.

            The Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) is a 2,850-acre site in the Simi Hills between Simi Valley and Los Angeles. SSFL opened in 1948 and for nearly six decades of activities at the site included research, development and testing of rocket engines, lasers, experimental nuclear reactors and related technologies. These uses resulted in soil and groundwater contamination that includes petroleum fuels, solvents, propellant (perchlorate), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and radionuclides.

  Since the major facility activities ceased in 2006, DTSC has required several cleanups to address specific, uncontrolled threats caused by SSFL contamination. There are three responsible parties for the cleanup of SSFL: The Boeing Company, NASA, and DOE. Boeing, NASA, and DOE are held to the 2007 Consent Order for the groundwater cleanup. Boeing is held to the 2007 Consent Order for soil cleanup. NASA and DOE are held to the 2010 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) for soil cleanup.

 2007 Consent Order: https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/deliverable_documents/5831342935/DTSC%20CONSENT%20ORDER%20FOR%20CORRECTIVE%20ACTION%20SSFL%20SIMI%20HILLS%20Docket%20P3%2007%2008%20003%20signed%20August%2016%202007.pdf

2010 AOC for DOE: https://www.dtsc-ssfl.com/files/lib_correspond/agreements/64791_SSFL_DOE_AOC_Final.pdf

2010 AOC for NASA: dtsc-ssfl.com/files/lib_correspond/agreements/64789_SSFL_NASA_AOC_Final.pdf 

Russ Edmondson, Media Information Officer

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)

California Environmental Protection Agency

Office: 916.323.3372

 

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