PORT HUENEME : Navy Outlines Next Step in Soil Cleanup

The U. S. Navy took another step toward cleaning up contaminated soil at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme Thursday, as officials announced the marathon project’s next phase will begin this fall.

After a $2.5-million preliminary assessment, the Navy will spend another $3 million in the next phase to conduct initial soil sampling at seven sites and intensive follow-up testing at another five locations, said Cmdr. Lee A. Sollenberger, the base environmental officer.

The Navy will also recommend to the joint state and federal site review committee that five of 19 suspected contamination sites need no further action, Sollenberger said.

The cleanup is part of a nationwide review by the U. S. Defense Department of all military facilities. Although the Seabee base in Port Hueneme has not been designated as a top priority location, the Navy plans to correct any health hazards that exist, said Capt. Dave Nash, the base commander.

“It’s not a crisis, but just something we have to do,” Nash said at a news conference at which the cleanup plan’s next phase was described.

Sites targeted for additional inspection at the Seabee base include areas previously used as sumps for oil waste and sewage, paint shops and repair centers.

Other sites include areas where fuel or petroleum waste were known to have spilled, including an area called Oly’s Lake, a depression dug to prevent spilled acid, paint, solvent and grease from reaching drainage ditches.

Where earlier tests showed some contamination, further tests will be performed to determine the extent, said Tom Flaminio, a civilian consultant.

Base officials expect to conclude a remediation agreement with California Environmental Protection Agency within two months, Sollenberger said.