New CAL-EPA secretary vows to clean up PureGro facility

Brawley residents shared their concerns about the Puregro facility with the new CAL-EPA secretary.

Olga Moreno, one of several Brawley residents at a Tuesday meeting with the secretary, said, “The whole community in this neighborhood are getting cancers so there’s something wrong.”

Secretary Jared Blumenfeld said he’s committed to the well-being of communities.

“I’m here with a new administration to say, you know what, let’s look at those timelines, let’s be responsive to the community and really understand what’s going on and get this place finally cleaned up,” Blumenfeld said.

Residents said they’ve lost loved ones to issues connected to the facility which has been closed for nearly 20 years.

Brawley resident Rachel Mendez said, ” My in-laws died of cancer. They lived in that house for years. And they all died. ”

Brawley resident Michael Cronin said, “We had one dog died about three, four months ago from multiple tumors.”

He said his dogs played around the facility, which kids walk by on their way to school. He’s worried his dog died of the contaminants in the facility.

” From the running and kicking up the dust. I would imagine that they were managing to get some toxins into their systems that proved to be fatal, ” Cronin said.

Residents said the place should be cleaned up and closed permanently.

“People are talking about residential, but, I sure wouldn’ t want nobody living in this site because it’s contaminated,” Mendez said.

State officials listened intently to the residents and vowed to take action.

“Get a roadmap with milestones that say what’s going to be done in the month of April, what’s going to be done in the month of May, what’s going to be done in the month of June,” Blumenfeld said.

Pete Garcia, with Department of Toxic Substances Control, said, “With his support we’re going to continue to move forward and make sure this site gets cleaned up as soon as possible and that it’s as safe as it can be.”

Residents said their frustration is growing.

” We’re tired of talking and talking and meetings. We want it cleaned up. That is what we want, ” Mendez said.

Secretary Blumenfeld’s visit was organized by Comite Civico del Valle, a local organization advocating on environmental issues.