Future developers must test soil and groundwater for toxic chemicals before building within a two-mile area surrounding Boeing’s Rocketdyne-Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Si- mi Valley. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors made the controversial decision on a recent 3-2 vote.

"Chances are this may never be used, but in case they put a big development there we have to test the soil to make sure it’s clean before we can put houses there," said Supervisor Linda Parks, who originally proposed the testing plan. "Our first concern has to be public health."

But other supervisors disagreed with Parks on the need for the testing, including Judy Mikels who pointed out that the measure does not apply to current property owners who may someday build homes on their empty lots.

"This is being sold as a health and safety issue but I believe it’s just a way to single out developers," Mikels said.

Supervisor John Flynn expressed concern over whether or not the testing was really necessary since there are a number of large developments already approved near the Rocketdyne site in addition to ongoing state and federal studies being conducted in conjunction with Boeing to determine how best to clean up the site. A Boeing spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

"I wonder if it isn’t doing a lot of duplication," Flynn said. "It’s a big issue and shouldn’t be taken lightly."

Flynn wanted more time to study the issue, but in the end voted to pass the proposal.

The plan requires developers to test for perchlorate and trichloroethylene, two chemicals that have been found on the site of the lab as well as in the surrounding groundwater. The test would involve taking two groundwater samples and five soil samples at a cost of about $4,000 paid for by developers.

Most of the land in question is open space, but a developer applying for rezoning to increase density would be subject to the new rule.

"If you do it the right way, its sound science," Parks said.

The property has a long history of toxic contamination by the company, which conducted nuclear tests and dumped nearly two million gallons of trichloroethylene, a solvent for cleaning metal parts, at the site.

"None of us knew about environmental damages in the 1950’s and 60’s," Mikels said. "As long as it’s being cleaned up and regulations being signed off on I see no reason to continue beating up the field lab."