We're happy to share this press release from Project HERE, a project of a subcommittee of the Noyo Headlands Working group of the GrassRoots Institute, an Alliance-sponsored project.
The Headlands Environmental Remediation Education Project (called "Project HERE" for short) is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a Technical Assistance Grant from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), to engage in community education around the condition of and environmental issues on the former Georgia Pacific Mill Site (Mill Site). This funding is part of the Cleanup in Vulnerable Communities Initiative (CVCI), authorized through Senate Bill (SB) 158 in 2021. Our grant will allow us to hire a Technical Consultant to review and explain the Mill Site investigation and cleanup reports to the community. Over the next 18 months, Project HERE will be hosting open forum meetings to present this information to members of the Fort Bragg community. We invite you to participate meaningfully in the planning for the remaining remediation of the Mill Site.
Mill Site
The Mill Site covers the western third of the City of Fort Bragg, which consists of about 425 acres of land with about 2 miles of ocean frontage. Abandoned when the sawmill closed in 2002, the Mill Site has been sitting empty since then, with the exception of the Coastal Trail. There have been disputes over who is responsible for cleaning up the toxic chemical residues left from sawmill operations.
Who We Are
We are a group of Coastal residents who are deeply concerned with the lack of progress toward the sustainable cleanup of the Mill Site, particularly regarding the constraints caused by remaining contamination on the Mill Site. Our collective aim is to ensure a safe, productive, and inclusive future for this vital community asset. HERE is a project of a subcommittee of the Noyo Headlands Working Group of the Grassroots Institute.
Our Goals
Our primary goals are to provide the public with meaningful and accurate information about the condition of the Mill Site, particularly "Operable Unit E (OU-E)," the central section with the ponds that contain residual contamination preventing the public from future access. We believe that with this information, the community can effectively participate in the planning process as it moves forward. We aim to ensure that the entire community, including those who have been left out of the process previously, can have their voices heard and affect significant decisions regarding the future of the Mill Site.
What You Can Expect to See Over the Next 18 Months
We have retained Farallon Consulting, L.L.C. as our technical consultant, working specifically with Steffany Aguilar, who is a bilingual Professional Geologist (P.G.) with over 9 years of experience conducting environmental assessments, including investigations, site characterizations, remediation activities, and compliance work. In addition, Steffany is an advocate for women in STEM and volunteers in the San Francisco Bay Area for Scientific Adventures for Girls and Oakland Unified School District.
How to Connect and Participate
Community participation is crucial to the success of this project. We encourage everyone to get involved and share their perspectives, ensuring a diverse and inclusive approach to the Mill Site's future. If you are interested in contributing to the future of the Mill Site, please join our efforts and help us make a positive impact on our community. Please reach out to us with questions or concerns at [email protected], and visit us at Project-HERE.org.
The Headlands Environmental Remediation Education Project (called "Project HERE" for short) is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a Technical Assistance Grant from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), to engage in community education around the condition of and environmental issues on the former Georgia Pacific Mill Site (Mill Site). This funding is part of the Cleanup in Vulnerable Communities Initiative (CVCI), authorized through Senate Bill (SB) 158 in 2021. Our grant will allow us to hire a Technical Consultant to review and explain the Mill Site investigation and cleanup reports to the community. Over the next 18 months, Project HERE will be hosting open forum meetings to present this information to members of the Fort Bragg community. We invite you to participate meaningfully in the planning for the remaining remediation of the Mill Site.
Mill Site
The Mill Site covers the western third of the City of Fort Bragg, which consists of about 425 acres of land with about 2 miles of ocean frontage. Abandoned when the sawmill closed in 2002, the Mill Site has been sitting empty since then, with the exception of the Coastal Trail. There have been disputes over who is responsible for cleaning up the toxic chemical residues left from sawmill operations.
Who We Are
We are a group of Coastal residents who are deeply concerned with the lack of progress toward the sustainable cleanup of the Mill Site, particularly regarding the constraints caused by remaining contamination on the Mill Site. Our collective aim is to ensure a safe, productive, and inclusive future for this vital community asset. HERE is a project of a subcommittee of the Noyo Headlands Working Group of the Grassroots Institute.
Our Goals
Our primary goals are to provide the public with meaningful and accurate information about the condition of the Mill Site, particularly "Operable Unit E (OU-E)," the central section with the ponds that contain residual contamination preventing the public from future access. We believe that with this information, the community can effectively participate in the planning process as it moves forward. We aim to ensure that the entire community, including those who have been left out of the process previously, can have their voices heard and affect significant decisions regarding the future of the Mill Site.
What You Can Expect to See Over the Next 18 Months
- Community Public Survey: We will conduct a survey to evaluate public knowledge about the Mill Site and gather feedback regarding its future remediation.
- Technical Consultant: The grant will allow for hiring a technical consultant. Their role is to review and interpret the Mill Site data and present that information in an accessible way to the community. The technical consultant will facilitate community forum meetings in both English and Spanish, to explain the Mill Site history, remediation efforts and opportunities, exposure potentials and risks associated with residual contaminants, and to answer the community's questions. The technical consultant will provide documents in both English and Spanish.
- Community Outreach: We will engage with service organizations, religious fellowships, schools, and other community groups to listen and learn about the community's desires for the Mill Site through small open forum meetings.
- Sampling and Citizen Science Projects: The technical consultant will lead us in sampling and citizen science projects, enabling community members to actively participate in research efforts.
- Walking Tours: During this period, we will host walking tours for the public along the Coastal Trail, fostering a deeper connection with the Mill Site and its future uses.
- Large Forums: Following the community outreach, we will organize meetings to present our findings and discuss the next steps as a community.
We have retained Farallon Consulting, L.L.C. as our technical consultant, working specifically with Steffany Aguilar, who is a bilingual Professional Geologist (P.G.) with over 9 years of experience conducting environmental assessments, including investigations, site characterizations, remediation activities, and compliance work. In addition, Steffany is an advocate for women in STEM and volunteers in the San Francisco Bay Area for Scientific Adventures for Girls and Oakland Unified School District.
How to Connect and Participate
Community participation is crucial to the success of this project. We encourage everyone to get involved and share their perspectives, ensuring a diverse and inclusive approach to the Mill Site's future. If you are interested in contributing to the future of the Mill Site, please join our efforts and help us make a positive impact on our community. Please reach out to us with questions or concerns at [email protected], and visit us at Project-HERE.org.
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