Residents demand complete removal of site believed to be toxic
Brawley residents said the cleanup process of the old PureGro fertilizer facility, owned by Chevron and closed now for several years, is going nowhere.
Rosalinda Garcia said, “They’re stalling us. They just don’t want to get to the bottom of it. If they agreed they’d do a residential, then they know what they have to do. They have to clean it up, take it out and haul it out of here safely.”
They claim the site’s soil, which is within walking distance of a neighborhood and just a few blocks from a nearby elementary school, is contaminated and is making them sick.
Ramon Castro said, “They’re beating around the bush when it’s very simple. We demand full clean-up, full removal of contaminated soil.”
The discussion at times became heated and emotional from some who fear for their family and friends.
“You’re saying you’re going to remove all of that material off of there and remove it permanently?” Eric Reyes said speaking to an official from the Department of Toxic Substances Control, demanding a commitment to action on the site.
City Mayor Donnie Wharton said they’re on the community’s side and are looking out for the safety of the community.
“The city’s role in this is to see the best possible outcome. But we’re not the property owner, unfortunately, but we’re certainly with our community’s stakeholders,” Wharton said.
Peter Garcia, DTSC, pledged to continue putting pressure on Chevron to clean up the site.
“We are going to clean up the site to whatever the end land-use is and make it safe for those purposes. Our role is to oversee the cleanup that is performed and that it’s to a level is protective of public health,” Garcia said.
Jacklyn Crusik, Chevron Public Affairs, denies claims that the site is a health-hazard. She said they care about the safety of the community and are looking at cleanup options.
“There was a human health assessment prepared for this site. That study showed that the soil present at the site is not harmful to residents living or working nearby,” Crusik said.
At the end of the meeting on Monday evening, some residents walked out unsure and unsatisfied. They said they’re getting the same pledges they’ve been getting before, but nothing eventually gets done. They said they’re still considering the lawsuit option if their demands for a full cleanup are not met soon.
The meeting took place at Oakley Elementary School, just a few of blocks from the site believed to be toxic.
