April 2006

Since the 1940s, the El Cerrito Mill and Lumber Company successfully milled and sold high-grade lumber on a four-acre site in the heart of the City of El Cerrito. Until the decline of this industry, residents of El Cerrito were drawn to this specialty business to purchase custom-built wood doors, fl ooring, framing, and windows that were assembled onsite by craftsmen. Chemicals used as part of onsite operations caused both soil and groundwater contamination. Since 2001, the space has remained vacant due to concerns over the contamination, which stymied reuse.

Read Original Article at CA DTSC web site.

In 2003, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement (VCA) with the current property owner to address any hazardous substances left behind by the mill. Environmental investigations discovered lead, arsenic and petroleum hydrocarbons in localized areas of surface soil at levels above those considered safe for residential use. Groundwater located underneath a former storage tank was found to be contaminated. The cleanup plan recommended by DTSC consisted of the removal of approximately 610 cubic yards of impacted soil, which was disposed of offsite at an approved landfi ll. The groundwater was aerated to treat the elevated levels of benzene. DTSC certifi ed the site in August 2004, stating the property owner had successfully completed all required environmental cleanup activities.

The El Cerrito City Council approved a redevelopment plan for the area that includes retail and offi ce space, live-work dwellings, apartment units, and a recreational center. The plan, now completed, created approximately 25 jobs and increased annual revenues for the City of El Cerrito by $200,000. This successful redevelopment of a brownfield site exemplifi es the benefits achieved from the VCA program.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 10:54 am and is filed under ●Brownfields Success Stories.

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