AZUSA, Calif. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a final walk-through inspection of Lario Park with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency March 19 in Azusa.
Following the devastating wildfires in nearby Altadena, the EPA, working under a clean-up mission for FEMA, procured use of the park as a temporary staging area from late January to mid-March. EPA used the site to collect, sort and transport household hazardous materials from the Eaton Wildfire.
The materials, which included items like batteries, household paint, oil, household cleaners, e-waste and solar panels were removed from the wildfire areas by trained hazardous material workers and transported in sealed bags and containers to the staging area. Once at the site, the materials were sorted, packaged and placed in containers approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation for off-site transport and disposal, according to an EPA press release.
Prior to EPA vacating the property, USACE determined the staging area had been restored to its original conditions. Responsibility for the park is now reverting back to USACE.
As part of the turnover process, the EPA conducted soil testing to ensure no contaminants were detected in the area.
Additionally, during its use of the property, the EPA conducted continuous 24-hour air monitoring for oxygen, carbon monoxide, ammonia, lower explosive limit, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter within the Lario staging areas. This process ensured workers were protected by standards set by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Limits. For the reporting periods – from Feb. 5 to March 12 – no permissible exposure limits were exceeded at the staging area.
Levels did not require EPA to take additional actions or modify work activities. There were no releases of hazardous materials within the staging area. Air monitoring was completed March 12.
USACE appreciates its local partners and will continue to work with the community on the future operation of the park.