PUBLIC NOTICE
MADERA COUNTY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Brownfield’s Assessment Grant Project was completed on April 30, 2006 at the former North Fork Mill site located at 57839 Road 225 in North Fork, California.

The North Fork Mill Site is a 135 acre former lumber mill, donated to the County of Madera for redevelopment into productive business and community recreation facilities. The North Fork Community Development Council, supported by Madera County, has engaged in an extensive community planning process for the redevelopment of the mill site and for the economic revitalization of the town. The future redevelopment of the mill site is currently adversely impacted by several environmental concerns that exist at the mill site including: 1) petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in soils and water from leaking underground storage tanks; 2) on-site contamination by pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dioxins; and 4) on-site structures containing asbestos and lead based paint.

On October 3, 2003, Madera County was awarded a Brownfield’s Assessment Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $199,555 which was awarded specifically for the assessment of PCP and dioxin contaminants at the North Fork Mill site. The grant period was from October 1, 2003 to April 30, 2006. A field investigation was implemented to define the extent of contamination and included sampling of soils, surface water and groundwater. A Feasibility Study was completed which evaluated remedial alternatives for site clean-up and proposed a preferred cleanup which involves the excavation of heavily impacted material and transportation off-site for treatment. A Baseline Health Risk Assessment provided an assessment of risk to public health for contaminants that may remain at the site.

All persons interested in the Brownfield’s Assessment activities and future remediation plans are invited to attend the North Fork Community Development Council Board meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2006 at 57839 Road 225, North Fork, California. Staff from the Madera County Environmental Health as well as the Regional Water Quality Control Board and Bryan A. Stirrat and Associates will be available to respond to all questions and comments.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all other questions or comments shall be directed to the Madera County Department of Environmental Health, Resource Management Agency, care of Ms. Janice Delaney, 2037 W Cleveland Ave, Madera, CA 93637; telephone 559.675.7823; e-mail jdelaney@madera-county.com