News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 6, 2003 |
CONTACT: Bret Ladine (202) 225-6131 |
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WASHINGTON – Congressman Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, has requested a detailed briefing from the Pentagon that will provide a full accounting of toxic substances buried by the military at the former Castle Air Force Base in Atwater. Cardoza will be briefed Monday by Defense Department officials in Washington. He has asked the Air Force for all information related to the presence of any toxic material, the radioactive potential of such toxins, the methods employed to protect the area against radioactive leakage, and the progress of current remediation efforts and all past cleanup projects undertaken since the base closed in 1995. "Atwater has always been a hospitable host to the Air Force," Cardoza said. "Residents deserve to know everything about any hazardous materials in their community and the military’s plan for removing them. If there is radioactive material buried at the base, that information should not be withheld from the public." With the impending transfer of base property to Merced County scheduled for this year and the new U.S. Penitentiary resting on other former base land, the Air Force must ensure that the site is cleaned up properly. "The base closure was a big enough burden to bear," Cardoza said. "Now it is the Air Force’s duty to make the land safe for other uses." |
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June 6, 2003
Brig. General Scott Custer
Director, Office of Legislative Liaison
U.S. Department of the Airforce
1160 Airforce Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20330-1160
Dear General Custer:
Thank you for speaking with me yesterday concerning efforts to determine if radiological waste is buried on the grounds of Castle AFB in Atwater, California. As we discussed, recent reports have indicated that weapons disposal practices at Castle AFB in the 1960’s may have produced radioactive-contaminated waste. Concern has been raised that a federal prison, the United States Penitentiary, Atwater, may be sitting on the site of where the toxic waste was buried.
It is my understanding that next week, officials from the Bureau of Prisons and the USAF Institute for Occupational Health will conduct a site survey of the property. Additionally, it is my understanding that officials from the Air Force Real Property Agency will conduct an investigation this summer to determine if any buried radioactive waste is present. Given the community interest in having this matter resolved, I would appreciate any steps you can take to expedite the necessary investigations.
I also appreciate your willingness to schedule a briefing, which has been set for 2:30pm on Monday, June 9. As part of the briefing, I would appreciate answers to the following questions: What is the most up-to-date information available concerning the presence of toxic material at Castle AFB? What is the radioactive potential of that material? What methods were employed to protect against leakage of radioactive material at Castle AFB in the past? What is the half-life of any radiological materials at Castle AFB? What is the status of ongoing remediation projects, if any, at Castle AFB? Additionally, I would appreciate a detailing of all remediation projects undertaken at Castle since its closing in 1995.
I appreciate your attention to this matter. I am certain that we share the goal of providing detailed, up-to-date and honest information with the citizens of California’s Central Valley concerning the potential presence of radiological waste at Castle AFB. I look forward to working with you and the USAF to address this issue in a timely manner. Please contact me or Gary Palmquist of my staff at (202) 225.6131 with any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Dennis A. Cardoza
Member of Congress
