Alameda Point

Alameda Point Revitalization Plan to Enhance Navy’s Environmental Cleanup Project

August 7th, 2009

Since the early 1800s, Alameda Point has been used for a variety of industrial uses that left toxic contaminants in the soil and groundwater.

Approval of the Alameda Point Revitalization Initiative by Alameda voters will fund the cleanup of these toxics to a higher standard that is safe for Alameda residents.

Prior to the opening of the Naval Air Station, Alameda Point was home to two landfills, a municipal airfield, an army base, an oil refinery, and various industrial applications.

After the U.S. Navy took control of Alameda Point in the 1940s, Alameda Point served as a major West Coast air station during World War II, Korea, Vietnam and until the station closed in 1997.

Naval Air Station Alameda berthed and serviced aircraft carriers and supporting ships. NAS Alameda also repaired, maintained and overhauled aircraft.

Most of the eastern portion of NAS Alameda – the area targeted for the Alameda Point Revitalization Plan—was developed with aircraft hangars, industrial support facilities and administrative offices for the airfield. Aging buildings and infrastructure constructed decades ago contain lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials.

The Air Station was declared a Superfund cleanup site in 1999. Superfund is a federal environmental program established to address the nation’s most urgent hazardous waste sites.

Before the Navy can transfer Alameda Point to local control for the revitalization of this property, the Navy must clean the soil and groundwater to a standard safe for commercial use. The Navy’s cleanup is currently underway. However, further cleanup is needed to make the area safe for residents.

“The Navy has started the cleanup,” said Alameda Councilman Frank Matarrese. “But this plan will rid the area of toxics not covered by the Navy, making Alameda Point safer for all residents.”

 The cleanup plan calls for the containment and removal of contaminated soil and the processing of groundwater to remove toxic contaminants.

Vapor barriers and other engineering controls have been incorporated into the revitalization plan for Alameda Point to guard against any potential long term environmental or health risks.

Hazardous materials must be contained, removed and safely disposed of. Lead, asbestos and other materials in historical buildings that will be reused as part of the revitalization plan must be removed or contained.

“Alameda Point is a natural treasure that is currently underutilized because of the unfortunate legacy of the area’s industrial past,” said Doug Siden, a member of the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors. “Realistically, this plan is the only way for Alameda Point to be cleaned of the toxics at no cost to the city or taxpayers so that it is safe enough for new parks, hiking and biking trails and recreational facilities that our community needs.”