Malibu Planning Commissioners voted 4-0 on Monday night recommending the City Council approve a finalized environmental report on the Civic Center sewer project, adding an amendment that requires pollution in soil samples be reported within 30 days of discovery.
Commissioner John Mazza suggested the amendment to the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), saying it would dispel fears that the sewer project could cause pollution in areas near Webster Elementary and Our Lady of Malibu School, since many parents and teachers are on edge following the discovery of PCBs at Malibu High School. The sewer is set to be built in Winter Canyon, across the way from OLM and Webster.
Steve Bobsan, a Webster Elementary parent and resident at nearby Toscana Townhomes, urged commissioners for more transparency.
“We believe that there is high likelihood that there could be contaminated soils on this site,” Bobsan said, speaking on behalf of the Homeowners Association for Toscana Townhomes and other area condominium compounds.
Bobsan said that since the area was a seepage pit for the Malibu Colony Plaza sewer, which according to him included salons and spas as well as a dry cleaners mentioned in the EIR, chemical contamination is likely.
“It is highly likely that those chemicals went down the drains in the sinks of those particular businesses and ended up in the soils at this property,” Bobsan said.
In response, Mazza requested soil sample information be clearly disclosed.
“For the peace of mind of the parents, I’m asking that they disclose the information that they have,” Mazza said.
Assistant City Attorney Tarquin Preziosi challenged Mazza’s suggestion, arguing it was unnecessary.
“If there’s existing data that the city has, then that’s in fact already been made available and it’s already available,” said Preziosi.
Mazza disagreed.
“You say it’s public record, but, gee, how hard was it to get it out of the high school, or even know about it?” Mazza countered, adding, “All I’m asking is that if there’s evidence of pollution there, that it be disclosed.”
In the end, all commissioners present voted to approve the EIR with an amendment stating, “For the CDP only, that standard soil sampling will be made, and if pollution is found, it be reported back to the public within 30 days.” Commissioner Roohi Stack was not in attendance for Monday’s meeting.
The EIR was publicly supported by representatives from several nearby environmental nonprofits, including L.A. Waterkeeper, Heal the Bay and the Surfrider Foundation. Despite not being 100 percent happy with the report, specifically in how the sewer could affect Malibu Lagoon, all three expressed the need for swift movement on the sewer project.
“I urge the city to implement the project as quickly as possible and without further debate,” Tatiana Gauer, senior attorney with LA Waterkeeper, said.
Steve Clary, RMC Water and Environment spokesperson, stated that no significant impact would occur in Malibu Lagoon, where water is discharged into the ocean.
“In the average state of affairs, the change in flow to the lagoon would be less than one percent in terms of flow rate, gallons per day, which is not significant,” Clary said.
Graham Hamilton, West L.A./Malibu executive chair for the Surfrider Foundation, spoke to encourage the approval of the final EIR, citing leaking sewage from septic tanks as an important reason the project could not be delayed.
“I can speak from personal experience that overflowing septic systems leaking into the lagoon and finding their way to Surfrider Beach does cause pollution, and I’ve been sickened myself through poor water quality issues,” Hamilton said, “so again, I appreciate all your time and dedication on this issue and hope you will approve it.”
The EIR heads before Council for final approval in early 2015.