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EPA tries to explain why ASBESTOS structures on Parcel A need more evluation of sorts.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed the community - more the community living in and around Hunters Point Shipyard. In the year 2000 there was a hazardous fire that raged for a month and the EPA failed the community. At Parcel A - Lennar a Rogue Developer to date has continued to bombard the community - backed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, the SF Public Health Department, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development and SF Redevelopment Agency for the last four years - plus.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken upon itself because of the community constant pressure to use so called "independent" experts to try to resolve the pressing issues adversely affecting the community. Most of it cause by a rogue developers - LENNAR.
Lennar has used "draft" documents crafted by EPA, issues yet to be resolved, and used the Media and other sources to spread LIES. One says the Obama EPA says all is fine at Parcel A. This is totally wrong. The EPA yesterday refuted such LIES spread by LENNAR and others working for LENNAR, a Rogue Developer.
First we had Wilma Subra who was given less then six days to comment on more then 4000 pages of the Draft, Environmental Impact Report - linked to Hunters Point Shipyard and Candlestick Point. She focused on some pertinent issues but could not do justice to the what she really had in mind.
Some weeks ago she had a presentation on her earlier written comments and did justice. The community got to meet Wilma Subra and understand first hand the issues at hand. More, Wilma Subra could delve into some critical issues that we the community must educate ourselves - so that we better understand what the community is really, facing.
After Wilma Subra's presentation - most of those present including some leaders from City College, leading environmental advocates, many prominent leaders from the Bayview Hunters Point - came out from the meeting with an understanding that we had a sound, well grounded expert - in Wilma Subra, representing the community.
Yesterday, another independent expert was brought in to focus on the Asbestos Structures and his name is Dr. Millet. Again, Dr. Millet was given limited information and had to within the confines of that information - address the community.
Let us not put our experts paid for by EPA in compromising situations without giving them all the information, empirical data, and allowing them sufficient time to create, worthy and beneficial reports that can being progress and benefit all life forms.
We do have the Precautionary Principle in force in San Francisco. In other words it is law.
Earlier, I had mentioned in the year 2000 - there was a fire on Parcel E with radiological contaminants adversely impacting a large area by Parcel A.
The Regulatory Agencies - the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the SF Department of Health, the SF Housing Authority, others - played down the incident. The end result to this day - many of those exposed to that fire and its toxic smoke - suffer.
The U.S. Navy was fined a measly $250 by the BAAQMD. The Environmental Protect Agency knew about this incident - and chose NOT to utter one single word. So much for that middle word - PROTECTION - in the EPA.
A model was created years latter at the behest of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) to address the adverse impacts. The result nothing much came of this presentation.
Four years ago ago when Lennar chose to grade a large area - they chose to cut to size a thirty five foot Ultramophic Serpentinite Rock - very dense. Such a vein is found only at Hunters Point, Potrero Hill and a very small vein at the Presidio of San Francisco. It is wrong to compare this as some Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) as expressed by the EPA - in their dubious way of circumventing an issue and making light of it.
Four year later - having not acted on time and with dire enforcement - the EPA is back tracking - using Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) results linked to Asbestos samples, and doing all the things - that are do not favor sound empirical data that is fresh and worthy of being beneficial to the community at large.
Parcel A had a Disposition and Development Agreement, a Dust Mitigation Plan, other protocols put in place by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the California, Occupational Safety Health Agency (OSHA).
California, OSHA fined Lennar $250 and the BAAQMD fined Lennar - $515,000.
Lennar has been served over 450 Notices of Violation on Parcel A.
There is no count as to the number of times Lennar has been told to shut down its operations.
There is no count about other Notices of Violations - when Lennar has move toxic dirt with radiological contaminants - through the community. These cases were reported but enforcement was done to the MINIMUM.
Often times emphasis is put on Asbestos Dust, Friables, or Structures - but, the most important component - that, those that speak without being EDUCATED on issues - must comprehend is TOXIC DUST. Toxic dust can cause all the ailments and more that our children and senors have been experiencing. More because it is laced with high levels of mercury, lead, PCBs, and of course radiological elements.
Asbestos Dust sounds fancy - but the so called experts are given an opportunity to circumvent facts linked to bloody noses, irritation of the throat, headaches, and so on - by telling the public Asbestos Friables do not bring about such ailments sooner by years later. The reason is most experts know - serious diseases like Asbestosis affect the victims - 10, 15 years after serious and constant - exposure.
The best way to find out what is ailing our community, right now - is simply to do a soil test. Do the testing of the ambient air. Another dubious way these experts are trying to circumvent the role of Asbestos Fibers - is by playing with testing, equipment, long and short fibers - all of which is done to stall the process.
During Public Comment - it is important to stay on course. Many of the comments yesterday, were way off target - causing confusion, and the experts that think logically are confused. Also, most of these experts cannot stand - folks that speak loud and in an intimidating manner - when this happens - these so called experts - resign to fate - and that can mean - anything.
Some community members yesterday came in with Jeff Austin a Lennar employee and in charge of Lennar Dust and Asbestos Monitoring operations. I was watching him carefully, and he was taking notes. This man is the cause of all this nonsense and yesterday brought in a crowd mostly from the Alice Griffith Public Housing Complex - which is good.
When the development starts at Alice Griffith - most of those who choose to stay at Alice Griffith while the development goes on - will suffer from the same ailments - if not more. This is a clarion call to those that are working for Lennar - by coming to these meetings to defy the will of decent community members that have been in this fight - for over four years.
In proportion to the time and intensity you fight the decent community - you all will suffer. I watched some of you - pooh,pooh the comments made by those that spoke the TRUTH. LENNAR is the devil and those that embrace LENNAR - will FAIL.
I have been in this fight for 10 years - because from the inception I knew that I was dealing with a monster. I attended the Disposition and Development meetings linked to Parcel A. Lennar has changed its corporation name - four times. Once it was a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) now it is a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and registered in Delaware - it first registered in Sacramento.
Lennar has defaulted but the way it has got around its Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) is by amendments to the DDA. Buying off favors and making decent, people around Parcel A at Hunters Point Shipyard - suffer.
Lennar came into the community and bought off folks left, right and center. Today, some have seen the light but many have not and will not. The reason is simple they are not educated on issues, have no sense of process, do not understand the law - and cannot afford to fight those that break the law - in a sustained manner. They have no discipline - and want instant gratification and money - as those that worship the devil - always, desire.
Yesterday, you had two individuals running off their mouth - asking why did not the community stop Lennar? Well, what was this young Black, ignorant man doing when all the nonsense was going on? And, he said he lives on the Hill meaning Huntersview, Middle Point, or in the vicinity.Such utter nonsense does not help the community at large. It also deters those that have some intention to help the community at large.
It is this type of garbage that the EPA, Amy Brownell, Jeff Austin, the sell outs that Lennar feeds with stale bread crumbs - that nullify such meetings - meant to educate and not to confuse and cause confusion.
Other so called experts from the community, advocates - talk to have their five minutes of fame.
This nonsense must stop - because nothing concrete takes place.
The folks at EPA, all of them - are paid to put up these meetings - have nothing to lose. We, the community that want to represent the community - sacrifice our time and have to listen to utter nonsense and adhere to the confusion.
The Environmental Protection Agency - Region IX has a new Director - Jared Blumenfeld. I am requesting him to test the soil and the ambient air. Use the latest Asbestos and Dust Monitoring Equipment, even now, at this late date. Install a wind monitoring equipment and spend some money testing dust swaps from the near by homes adjacent to Parcel A.
There is so much Asbestos in the ground that when there are wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph - we get high readings some in the high 35,000 structures per cubic meter. The cap is set at 16,000 structures per cubic meter. Asbestos and other toxic contaminants travel where the wind sends it - in this case all over San Francisco and beyond.
If the Bay in polluted to places that cover a very large area.
At this late date much can be done - but it has to be done - with the intention of doing good and not circumventing the TRUTH.
No good will come at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Ninety five percent is land fill - and was once wet lands. Only Parcel A is solid ground but now that too has been polluted because Lennar chose to cut to size a thirty five foot rock - Ultramophic Serpentinite Rock - when crushed releases structures or friables known as Asbestos.
At the above sites were Shellmounds - Sacred Burial Sites of the Ohlone - the entire area was desecrated when Sacred Remains were spread all over the Hunters Point Shipyard. Mr. Douglas Gilkey and Keith Forman - think nothing of this. Well, time will tell.
The Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was against the transfer of Parcel A. The RAB represented the people, and the City and County of San Francisco went against the will of the people.
Sophie Maxwell, Linda Richardson, Nancy Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, Willie L. Brown - were all in favor of the conveyance of Parcel A. Well, take it and keep it.
Why would anyone want to build 1600 homes surrounded by the worse Toxicity?
You could live in a home on Parcel A and prevented from digging in the backyard, mandated NOT to grow any fruits and vegetables? Constantly bombarded by toxic elements those that live on Parcel A - will die a slow death.
Radiological Elements are rampant in and around Parcel A and the experts have no clue as to what extend. Read the Final Historical Radiological Assessment Report. It tell you more then you would ever want to know.
At this late hour the EPA is floundering, dazed by its non-compliance, trying to hide behind ploys and machinations. In the past these have brought down the EPA.
No one that harms children, innocent children - will go Scott Free - not for one single second.
Those that have blood on their hands - must pay restitution - not money but a change of heart and do the right thing.
Some can only warn - point to the right path - beyond that it is on you - EPA.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
******************************
******************************
Lennar has used "draft" documents crafted by EPA, issues yet to be resolved, and used the Media and other sources to spread LIES. One says the Obama EPA says all is fine at Parcel A. This is totally wrong. The EPA yesterday refuted such LIES spread by LENNAR and others working for LENNAR, a Rogue Developer.
First we had Wilma Subra who was given less then six days to comment on more then 4000 pages of the Draft, Environmental Impact Report - linked to Hunters Point Shipyard and Candlestick Point. She focused on some pertinent issues but could not do justice to the what she really had in mind.
Some weeks ago she had a presentation on her earlier written comments and did justice. The community got to meet Wilma Subra and understand first hand the issues at hand. More, Wilma Subra could delve into some critical issues that we the community must educate ourselves - so that we better understand what the community is really, facing.
After Wilma Subra's presentation - most of those present including some leaders from City College, leading environmental advocates, many prominent leaders from the Bayview Hunters Point - came out from the meeting with an understanding that we had a sound, well grounded expert - in Wilma Subra, representing the community.
Yesterday, another independent expert was brought in to focus on the Asbestos Structures and his name is Dr. Millet. Again, Dr. Millet was given limited information and had to within the confines of that information - address the community.
Let us not put our experts paid for by EPA in compromising situations without giving them all the information, empirical data, and allowing them sufficient time to create, worthy and beneficial reports that can being progress and benefit all life forms.
We do have the Precautionary Principle in force in San Francisco. In other words it is law.
Earlier, I had mentioned in the year 2000 - there was a fire on Parcel E with radiological contaminants adversely impacting a large area by Parcel A.
The Regulatory Agencies - the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the SF Department of Health, the SF Housing Authority, others - played down the incident. The end result to this day - many of those exposed to that fire and its toxic smoke - suffer.
The U.S. Navy was fined a measly $250 by the BAAQMD. The Environmental Protect Agency knew about this incident - and chose NOT to utter one single word. So much for that middle word - PROTECTION - in the EPA.
A model was created years latter at the behest of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) to address the adverse impacts. The result nothing much came of this presentation.
Four years ago ago when Lennar chose to grade a large area - they chose to cut to size a thirty five foot Ultramophic Serpentinite Rock - very dense. Such a vein is found only at Hunters Point, Potrero Hill and a very small vein at the Presidio of San Francisco. It is wrong to compare this as some Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) as expressed by the EPA - in their dubious way of circumventing an issue and making light of it.
Four year later - having not acted on time and with dire enforcement - the EPA is back tracking - using Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) results linked to Asbestos samples, and doing all the things - that are do not favor sound empirical data that is fresh and worthy of being beneficial to the community at large.
Parcel A had a Disposition and Development Agreement, a Dust Mitigation Plan, other protocols put in place by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the California, Occupational Safety Health Agency (OSHA).
California, OSHA fined Lennar $250 and the BAAQMD fined Lennar - $515,000.
Lennar has been served over 450 Notices of Violation on Parcel A.
There is no count as to the number of times Lennar has been told to shut down its operations.
There is no count about other Notices of Violations - when Lennar has move toxic dirt with radiological contaminants - through the community. These cases were reported but enforcement was done to the MINIMUM.
Often times emphasis is put on Asbestos Dust, Friables, or Structures - but, the most important component - that, those that speak without being EDUCATED on issues - must comprehend is TOXIC DUST. Toxic dust can cause all the ailments and more that our children and senors have been experiencing. More because it is laced with high levels of mercury, lead, PCBs, and of course radiological elements.
Asbestos Dust sounds fancy - but the so called experts are given an opportunity to circumvent facts linked to bloody noses, irritation of the throat, headaches, and so on - by telling the public Asbestos Friables do not bring about such ailments sooner by years later. The reason is most experts know - serious diseases like Asbestosis affect the victims - 10, 15 years after serious and constant - exposure.
The best way to find out what is ailing our community, right now - is simply to do a soil test. Do the testing of the ambient air. Another dubious way these experts are trying to circumvent the role of Asbestos Fibers - is by playing with testing, equipment, long and short fibers - all of which is done to stall the process.
During Public Comment - it is important to stay on course. Many of the comments yesterday, were way off target - causing confusion, and the experts that think logically are confused. Also, most of these experts cannot stand - folks that speak loud and in an intimidating manner - when this happens - these so called experts - resign to fate - and that can mean - anything.
Some community members yesterday came in with Jeff Austin a Lennar employee and in charge of Lennar Dust and Asbestos Monitoring operations. I was watching him carefully, and he was taking notes. This man is the cause of all this nonsense and yesterday brought in a crowd mostly from the Alice Griffith Public Housing Complex - which is good.
When the development starts at Alice Griffith - most of those who choose to stay at Alice Griffith while the development goes on - will suffer from the same ailments - if not more. This is a clarion call to those that are working for Lennar - by coming to these meetings to defy the will of decent community members that have been in this fight - for over four years.
In proportion to the time and intensity you fight the decent community - you all will suffer. I watched some of you - pooh,pooh the comments made by those that spoke the TRUTH. LENNAR is the devil and those that embrace LENNAR - will FAIL.
I have been in this fight for 10 years - because from the inception I knew that I was dealing with a monster. I attended the Disposition and Development meetings linked to Parcel A. Lennar has changed its corporation name - four times. Once it was a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) now it is a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and registered in Delaware - it first registered in Sacramento.
Lennar has defaulted but the way it has got around its Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) is by amendments to the DDA. Buying off favors and making decent, people around Parcel A at Hunters Point Shipyard - suffer.
Lennar came into the community and bought off folks left, right and center. Today, some have seen the light but many have not and will not. The reason is simple they are not educated on issues, have no sense of process, do not understand the law - and cannot afford to fight those that break the law - in a sustained manner. They have no discipline - and want instant gratification and money - as those that worship the devil - always, desire.
Yesterday, you had two individuals running off their mouth - asking why did not the community stop Lennar? Well, what was this young Black, ignorant man doing when all the nonsense was going on? And, he said he lives on the Hill meaning Huntersview, Middle Point, or in the vicinity.Such utter nonsense does not help the community at large. It also deters those that have some intention to help the community at large.
It is this type of garbage that the EPA, Amy Brownell, Jeff Austin, the sell outs that Lennar feeds with stale bread crumbs - that nullify such meetings - meant to educate and not to confuse and cause confusion.
Other so called experts from the community, advocates - talk to have their five minutes of fame.
This nonsense must stop - because nothing concrete takes place.
The folks at EPA, all of them - are paid to put up these meetings - have nothing to lose. We, the community that want to represent the community - sacrifice our time and have to listen to utter nonsense and adhere to the confusion.
The Environmental Protection Agency - Region IX has a new Director - Jared Blumenfeld. I am requesting him to test the soil and the ambient air. Use the latest Asbestos and Dust Monitoring Equipment, even now, at this late date. Install a wind monitoring equipment and spend some money testing dust swaps from the near by homes adjacent to Parcel A.
There is so much Asbestos in the ground that when there are wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph - we get high readings some in the high 35,000 structures per cubic meter. The cap is set at 16,000 structures per cubic meter. Asbestos and other toxic contaminants travel where the wind sends it - in this case all over San Francisco and beyond.
If the Bay in polluted to places that cover a very large area.
At this late date much can be done - but it has to be done - with the intention of doing good and not circumventing the TRUTH.
No good will come at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Ninety five percent is land fill - and was once wet lands. Only Parcel A is solid ground but now that too has been polluted because Lennar chose to cut to size a thirty five foot rock - Ultramophic Serpentinite Rock - when crushed releases structures or friables known as Asbestos.
At the above sites were Shellmounds - Sacred Burial Sites of the Ohlone - the entire area was desecrated when Sacred Remains were spread all over the Hunters Point Shipyard. Mr. Douglas Gilkey and Keith Forman - think nothing of this. Well, time will tell.
The Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was against the transfer of Parcel A. The RAB represented the people, and the City and County of San Francisco went against the will of the people.
Sophie Maxwell, Linda Richardson, Nancy Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, Willie L. Brown - were all in favor of the conveyance of Parcel A. Well, take it and keep it.
Why would anyone want to build 1600 homes surrounded by the worse Toxicity?
You could live in a home on Parcel A and prevented from digging in the backyard, mandated NOT to grow any fruits and vegetables? Constantly bombarded by toxic elements those that live on Parcel A - will die a slow death.
Radiological Elements are rampant in and around Parcel A and the experts have no clue as to what extend. Read the Final Historical Radiological Assessment Report. It tell you more then you would ever want to know.
At this late hour the EPA is floundering, dazed by its non-compliance, trying to hide behind ploys and machinations. In the past these have brought down the EPA.
No one that harms children, innocent children - will go Scott Free - not for one single second.
Those that have blood on their hands - must pay restitution - not money but a change of heart and do the right thing.
Some can only warn - point to the right path - beyond that it is on you - EPA.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
******************************
******************************
For more information:
http://www.sescdc.org
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