City will hear latest findings on Runkle Canyon

Representatives from the state's Department of Toxic Substances Control will speak at Monday's City Council meeting regarding the agency's review of 41 documents related to Runkle Canyon.

The documents, which were submitted to the DTSC earlier this year as part of an agreement reached with developer Runkle Canyon LLC, consist of reports and letters summarizing investigations that occurred at the project site south of Simi between 1999 and 2007.

According to a letter sent to the city in October, the agency has concluded that "additional work is necessary to better define environmental conditions at the site and to address one or more potential threats to public health and the environment."

For that reason, the DTSC has requested that the developer prepare a response plan to address their concerns.

Norman Riley, the DTSC's Santa Susana Field Lab project director, will share these findings with the council, said assistant city manager Laura Behjan.

Keith Jajko, spokesperson for Runkle Canyon LLC, said the developer has already begun work to meet the DTSC's request.

"As part of the review process with the DTSC, we have been asked to cooperate with the department, and we have done so and will continue to do so," Jajko said. "As requested, we are developing an action plan to address the DTSC's suggestions for additional testing and tar removal."

Jajko said the developer has not changed its opinion that the site is safe for development.

"We are very confident that the new test results will parallel previous sampling results, which indicate the site is safe for residential development," he said.

Under the joint partnership of Runkle Canyon LLC, builders KB Home and Lennar have proposed the construction of 461 homes on a 1,500-acre site adjacent to the field lab, a former rocket engine and nuclear test site once operated by the Department of Energy.

The project, which was approved by the City Council in 2004, has become the subject of controversy since a group of residents said they found proof of contamination at the site in 2007.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley.

To review the letter sent to the city by Riley, visit the city's website at www.simivalley.org and click on the "Runkle Canyon" link. The letter is dated Oct. 17, 2008.

—Kyle Jorrey