Comparing Lead: Homes vs. Health

The lead values in the soil at the Humboldt Road Burn Dump (HRBD) site in Chico are higher than those mentioned in a July 17, 2000 article from the LA Times, but we're still lucky here. Unlike Silver Valley, Idaho, a U.S. Superfund site discussed in the article, Chico has not yet made the mistake of allowing homes to be built on or near the toxic land at the HRBD. The article, entitled A Deep and Wide Mining Scar in Idaho, states, "Children living miles away from the Superfund site are being tested, with disturbing results: 11% of those under age 10, and 26% of the 2-year-olds, have lead in their blood above the federal intervention level... Mining contamination has spread far beyond the original Superfund site, to include the Coeur d'Alene River basin and into eastern Washington."

Below are a comparison of lead values found at the Silver Valley Superfund site and the Chico HRBD.

                       

Idaho soil-lead values (ppm)

HRBD soil-lead values (ppm)
River Road 1,410 Area 8 (Drake/Simmons stock pond 82,000
Harvard Road 357 Area 7 (Battery recycling corner) 8,340
North Idaho College 204 Area 5 (proposed subdivision) 4,530
Harrison Beach 1,250 Area 1 (original City dump) 4,100
Elk Creek 12,100 Area 2 (west of Bruce Rd.) 14,000
Wallace City Park Monument 3,170 Dead Horse Slough (runs thru HRBD) 3,150
                       

While we don't yet have serious human health consequences from the HRBD, we do have responsibilities and choices. There will have to be a decision and a remedy for this 160+acre testament to over 100 years of human disposal practices. The contamination is too serious to just ignore. When considering the options in cleaning the Humboldt road burn dump it is crucial to keep in mind the following:

  • The California-EPA will not dictate to Chico how to use the land. They will require, however, that the site be remedied based on the proposed use of the land.
  • The options are different in both risk and cost depending on what the land is used for.
  • The price for cleaning the dump to a standard supporting residential development versus the price to support open space designation with deed restrictions will be tremendously different.

These remedies could include the following: From the least intrusive remedy of extending the fenceline to incorporate all the toxic material and therefore protect the public from direct exposure, to the most aggressive remedy of off-site removal of all 450,000 cubic yards of hazardous burn dump material. The method of remedy is determined by what someone wants to do with his or her land.

The future land use dictates the type of remedy used. The type of remedy used dictates the price tag.

Cleaning the site to residential development standards will be expensive. It will also be dangerous since large amounts of toxic soil will have to be moved. A City of Chico consultant has estimated it could cost up to $450 million dollars. The costs won't end with the clean up. There will be costly post-remedy monitoring. This monitoring requirement could last for decades. Most of these costs would be borne by Chico taxpayers. There may also be litigation if a new homeowner feels injured by lingering toxicity.

If the land remains undeveloped there will still be costs, but they will be far fewer. Efforts will have to be made to keep the contamination away from other properties and from waterways. There will be however, very little risk of injury to people and that means little risk of litigation. There will be minimal risk of lead dust blowing over Southeast Chico.

You have a voice in the decision. State law requires your opinion be considered. Here is what you can do:

  • Let your City Council members know what you think.
  • Ask Council candidates what they think and vote accordingly.
  • Attend and speak at public hearings or write letters to state agencies.

Decisions made in this next year could affect the health of Chico, both public and fiscal, for decades. Please get involved.

This column originally appeared in September 2000 in the Chico Examiner.