Jeff Ruch, director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, argued that the revised permit would not adequately protect communities downstream.
Ruch raised concerns about more than 300 chemicals at SSFL not being covered by the proposed permit, the absence of discharge limits, and continued seepage of polluted stormwater into groundwater from unlined ponds.
He said the 2022 agreement with Boeing allows highly contaminated groundwater under the site to remain polluted indefinitely, and called on the board to make sure the water is safe to drink and use in agriculture. He also noted the presence of PCBs in the Los Angeles River, potentially originating from SSFL, and requested a delay in making a final permit decision until all PCB records from SSFL are disclosed, and a public workshop is conducted.
