Los Angeles City Controller, Laura Chick, will be meeting with harbor area residents next week to discuss the status of the Controller’s Office, including reports from Audits of City Departments over the past year.

It is anticipated that an issue of major discussion will include the deficiencies discovered in Chick’s audit of LA’s Emergency Response Plan. Because the harbor area faces greatly increased risks due to the presence of the Port of LA, and numerous privately operated chemical storage facilities and refineries, this issue demands great attention. The recent prediction by the USGS of a 7.1—7.9 earthquake in the Los Angeles vicinity within the next several years intensifies the need for emergency preparedness. Large areas of San Pedro and Wilmington (including port terminals) have been identified as liquefaction areas and are sitting directly on top of the Palos Verdes Fault line. This is a critical issue for local residents.

WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 2008* at 6:30 PM
WHERE: Los Angeles County Senior & Community Center, 769 W. 3rd Street (just off of Gaffey Street west of McDonald’s) in San Pedro

The meeting is being sponsored by The San Pedro and Peninsula Homeowners Coalition and the San Pedro and Peninsula Homeowners United and supported by Community Outreach Promoting Safety & Security.

For further info: Janet Gunter (310) 251-7075

Link/s:
Office of the Controller - City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles County Community & Senior Center, San Pedro
Community Outreach Promoting Safety & Security

* This event takes place the same evening as LAUSD’s presentation of the proposed high school #15 design and DEIR.

The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council (CSPNC) will be holding an election for board members this coming fall. Those who live, work, own property or otherwise have an interest in the CSPNC area, which includes the Palisades, are eligible to run for, and vote in, the election. For those interested in running and what’s required to run for the board there will be two candidate information sessions to get the details.

Candidate Information Session
Thursday, August 28, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Cabrillo Marina Community Center, Berth 28

Candidate Information Session
Monday, September 22, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Cabrillo Marina Community Center, Berth 28

CSPNC Election Day
Saturday, October 25, 2008
9:30 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.
Cetacean Society Building
Point Fermin Park

For more information, call Election Committee Chairperson Vicki McIntire at 310-831-4542.

Related Link/s:
Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council

“The results of the human health risk assessment conducted for the Site
utilizing a conservative, hypothetical residential use scenario indicated that
several chemicals detected in several OUs at the Site, pose an unacceptable
cancer or non-cancer health risk. The chemicals contributing the majority to
risk were localized in nature and include arsenic, PAHs, chlordane, dieldrin,
and dioxin.” Page 10-2, PEA report for SRHS#15

LAUSD has released the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) report for the proposed South Region High School #15 at Fort MacArthur’s Upper Reservation. Sampling and analyzing of soil over several areas of the Angels Gate location were performed. The results are outlined in the PEA report available online at LAUSD, electronically by sending an e-mail to Christer Loftenius at christer.loftenius@lausd.net, or to view in person at the San Pedro High School or San Pedro Library.

The public review period begins on August 5, 2008, and ends on September 5, 2008. During this period the LAUSD will receive written comments on the PEA document. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will review the PEA document concurrently and must either approve or disapprove the PEA document within 30 days after the close of the public review period. Written comments must be received no later than September 5, 2008, at the following address:

Attention: Christer Loftenius, Environmental Assessment Coordinator
LAUSD Office of Environmental Health and Safety
1055 West 7th Street, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone (213) 893-7045, Fax (213) 893-7412

A Public Hearing on the findings of the PEA will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008, at Barton Hill Elementary School, 423 N. Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731.

**UPDATE** The anticipated “release” date of the Draft EIR for the Proposed SRHS #15 Project has been delayed from the original estimate. Currently, the tentative release date is August 22, 2008. We will keep you informed of any additional changes should they arise.

Would you like to participate more with decisions that affect our local environment? An upcoming workshop to better help residents, organizations and businesses understand and participate in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process will be held Saturday, August 16. The workshop is sponsored by the Planning and Conservation League Foundation and N.O.I.S.E.

WHERE: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

WHEN: Saturday, August 16, 2008, 9 am – 4 pm

DETAILS: Pre-event registration is required. Registration is first-come, first-served. The cost is $35 for community members, $45 for non-profit staff, and $60 for agencies or businesses.

Related Links/s:
Planning and Conservation League Foundation
August 16 Event Registration & Details
California Environmental Quality Act