by Ann Cantrell
Contributing Editor On Parks, Recreation & Open Space
(Nov. 17, 2008) -- Like everyone else who has been working to save wetlands and open space, I am happy to see this proposal coming to the public.
I think Councilwoman Schipske makes some very valid points, especially about who will be responsible for the cleanup of these properties. (Previous LBReport.com coverage, click here).
As I understand it, the remediation must take place before the transfer of title. The big question: is this a scheme by which Dean/Berger is able to leave the city with the costly task of making Bixby clean up the oil drilling sludge, burn dumps and toxins on the Los Cerritos Wetlands?
Has anyone done soil samples? Is the Department of Toxic Substances involved?
And, who will be responsible for the cleanup of the Spring/Willow Gulch/Sports Park/Hilltop Property? The city allowed the oil companies on that site out of their leases and they have all disappeared, without doing any remediation for the mess they left.
It's been reported that Dean/Berger will retain the oil and mineral rights on the Los Cerritos Wetlands site. Will the City retain the mineral rights on the Hlltop Property?
There are many questions which need to be answered before this land swap can take place: clean-up, wetlands delineation, fair-market value, available funds, and suitable development for each parcel.
I am looking forward to the start of this process on Tuesday at the study session [3:30 p.m., Council Chamber].
I would hope this will not be rushed through without the public, staff and especially the council being certain of all of the costs involved.
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