HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 - PUBLIC COMMENT_GARCIAFrom:Rica Garcia
To:PBAeComments
Subject:Public Comments Submission - Santa Ana General Plan Update
Date:Monday, November 8, 2021 3:23:15 PM
To whom it may concern:
Our Office understands that disadvantaged communities in Santa Ana are significantly
impacted by lead contamination. As outlined in our October 16, 2020 letter to the City of
Santa Ana regarding the General Plan Update, we recommended the City consider adding
additional measures to address lead contamination.
(https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/environment/sb1000-letter-santa-ana.pdf). We
also recommended that the City consult with disadvantaged communities in its jurisdiction to
solicit ideas on how to address the pollution burdens related to lead contamination.
According to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, lead
concentrations of at least 80 parts per million (ppm) are considered hazardous to human
health and safety. A recent research study from the University of California has revealed that
56 different census tracts in the City of Santa Ana have maximum lead concentrations that
exceed 80ppm.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720342881). The majority
of these census tracts are in disadvantaged communities.
Given the magnitude of the soil lead contamination issue in Santa Ana, has the City considered
adopting policies that would (1) require property owners to test for soil lead toxicity prior to
approving new land uses or granting development approvals; (2) require adequate
remediation before new development; (3) adopt standards to require soil testing at
development sites where contamination is suspected; and/or (4) require soil testing of
property adjacent to property with hazardous soil lead levels.
Thank you,
Rica
Rica V. Garcia
Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Environmental Justice
California Attorney General’s Office
1515 Clay Street, 20th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel. (cell): 408-398-4278
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