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City Mgt. Seeks Proposals For Comprehensive Health Risk Assessment Re LB Air Quality As Affected By LB Airport, LB Port, Area Fwys. & Other Sources
(January 12, 2004) -- LB city management, via LB's Dept. of Health and Human Services, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) "seeking an environmental consultant to design a plan to implement and complete a comprehensive human Health Risk Assessment (HRA) modeling study using existing data and reports" whose scope will "encompass air quality related to the Long Beach Airport, freeway system (including I-710 and 405), the Port of Long Beach, and other identified point and mobile sources of air pollution within the City and region."
The announcement marks a victory for the grassroots Airport monitoring group LBHUSH2 and its founder, Rae Gabelich, now an 8th district City Council candidate, who has pressed for such a study related to Airport operations for roughly two years.
The RFP results from an October 14, 2003 session of the LB City Council at which Ms. Gabelich reiterated her call for delivery of a report -- requested by the Council on May 14, 2002 -- on the effects of LB Airport on residents' health and home values. "[The Airport report] is something that we have come back and asked for time and time again, not in front of the Council but individually. this was something you voted on Ms. Gabelich was joined by other members of the public, including prominent activists ECO-link chair Diana Mann, 4th district neighborhood leader and taxpayer watchdog Traci 8th district Councilman Webb (who along with Councilmembers Carroll, Colonna and Kell originally sought the report in May 02) made a motion asking management to return on Dec. 2, 2003 with options for presenting the May 2002 report. Webb's motion passed.
6th district Councilwoman Laura Richardson then went further. After indicating she was impressed by the compelling public testimony, Councilwoman Richardson made an expanded motion from the floor asking management to seek options for a comprehensive report on LB air quality as impacted by LB Airport, the Port of LB and area freeways. Councilwoman Richardson's motion also passed...and the RFP mirrors her motion.
Issued January 8, 2004, the RFP says the scope of the human Health Risk Assessment "will encompass air quality related to the Long Beach Airport, freeway system (including I-710 and 405), the Port of Long Beach, and other identified point and mobile sources of air pollution within the City and region. The study will focus on the comprehensive human health effects of air pollution in the City of Long Beach as related to the above areas of operation/activity, as well as the focal impacts of air pollution and noise pollution on human health from Long Beach Airport operations."
We post excerpts of the RFP text below [Caveat: RFP applicants should contact City Hall directly for the full RFP text and updates, if any.]
Ms. Gabelich called the RFP "a step in the right direction for our residential communities. We have many reasons for concern since we are surrounded by ports, freeways, refineries and our airport. It is a prudent move to identify risks before allowing an increase in any of these arenas."
However, she added, "At this time the most critical concern is the human health risk associated with our Airport. LBHUSH2 has asked for a thorough stand alone human health risk assessment that will include a breast milk study. The RFP states that they want to use current data not Long Beach specific. Because we live in a The Council had been expected to vote on Dec. 2, 2003 on issues for inclusion in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that City Hall plans to use to expand LB Airport's permanent terminal facilities. However, on Oct. 22 the Council effectively delayed its EIR vote for several months -- now expected after the April 2004 Council elections -- by sending Airport terminal issues to a The RFP says the Health Impact Study will encompass the Airport's current air quality impacts. "The Long Beach Airport is currently planning the expansion of its terminal and parking facilities. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being scoped separately for this effort. The HRA requested in the RFP is designed to specifically address the impact of current airport operations and resulting air and noise pollution impacts," the RFP says.
The RFP sets a deadline of January 23, 2004 at 5 p.m. for submitting proposals with a Notice of Conditional Funding Recommendation is tentatively set for January 27 and services tentatively set to commence on February 5.
Management indicates that selected environmental consultant must be available to "discuss draft and plans and cost estimates with the Long Beach City Council at their regularly scheduled meeting on February 17, 2004."
The RFP indicates a completion date for the Health Risk Assessment of August 31, 2004.
The fate of part of the Council's May 2002 requested report -- LB Airport's possible effects on home values -- is not indicated.
The RFP indicates that maximum funding for the contract is $35,000...and the purchase order must be implemented by February 6, 2004.
[begin RFP excerpt text]
A. BACKGROUND
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks an environmental consultant to design a plan to implement and complete a comprehensive human Health Risk Assessment (HRA) modeling study using existing data and reports. The scope of this assessment will encompass air quality related to the Long Beach Airport, freeway system (including I-710 and 405), the Port of Long Beach, and other identified point and mobile sources of air pollution within the City and region. The study will focus on the comprehensive human health effects of air pollution in the City of Long Beach as related to the above areas of operation/activity, as well as the focal impacts of air pollution and noise pollution on human health from Long Beach Airport operations.
The local community is concerned about the effects of air pollution including particulate exposure, and noise pollutants on their health. A HRA has been requested to gain a better understanding of the sources, levels and health impacts associated with air pollutants in the city. Specialized attention will be given to Long Beach Airport, with respect to air quality and noise impacts on the community. Other sources of community concern include air pollution related to the Port of Long Beach and the I-710 freeway, which includes diesel truck traffic. Other point sources of a local and regional interest in this study may include oil refineries, other major transportation corridors, general industry or known or identified sources of air pollutants.
Long Beach Airport
Oversight Provision
SCOPE OF WORK / PROPOSAL DELIVERABLES
A successful proposal to develop and complete the HRA will include the following items:
1. PREPARATION OF SCOPE AND COST OF A HRA STUDY
Following the actions of the City Council on February 17, 2004, a Notice to Proceed to begin item (a) and continue item (b) (both of which are further defined in item 2 below) may be issued. If not, costs incurred to that point will be reimbursed to the awarded environmental consultant.
2. DETAILED SCOPE OF STUDY
3. PUBLICATION OF FINAL REPORT
The report should include air quality health risk assessment information obtained from review of Long Beach community data studies and health risk assessments encompassing the Long Beach Airport, major area freeways (710, 405, 605, 91) and the Port. The report should also focus on the comprehensive health effects of air pollution and noise pollution as related to the Long Beach Airport.
The report should weigh health risks against recognized federal, state, regional, local and professional standards, and according to health risk guidelines. These criteria must include the City of Long Beach General Plan Element, and other The report should include the following:
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