Some months ago, Christina Walsh and William Bowling of www.ACMELA.org, turned in a petition to the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) requesting the formation of a Community Action Group (CAG) for Rocketdyne’s Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL). I signed the petition, because I wanted to support a new group to encourage the Rocketdyne cleanup that drew on members from all the communities surrounding the former rocket test site.
Even though Christina and Bill followed procedure in submitting the petition and had more than the number of signatures required by law, the DTSC has turned them down!
Here is what DTSC’s Rick Brausch wrote in an email distribution that I received today:Â
 ”… the ”DTSC received two petitions regarding the CAG. The first” (Christina and Bill’s) ”asked DTSC to form a CAG, which is an advisory panel that is intended to channel a community’s diverse stakeholder viewpoints into a focused and productive process. The second petition asked that no new group be formed, and instead requested we improve our current DTSC forums…”  “While not dismissing the concerns raised by those who requested a CAG, DTSC has decided not to form the panel at this time.”   ”…we have concerns that the formation of another advisory group for this project will amplify divisions within the community, rather than facilitate communication.”Â
To contradict Mr. Brausch’s statement, it seems to me that the DTSC is indeed dismissing the concerns of those who requested a CAG!
Posted by Janna Orkney
Suzette Martin // Jun 7, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Why are we allowing them to tell us anything? We can form a group without approval, I would love to have answers….Both parents gone before the age of 38 – Yes I outlived my parents and in age too! With Facebook and Myspace we could form an event rally to get answers I know millions that we show up! Were tired of being sick!!!! Suzette Martin