CC SR 20210302 06 - Containment Support Letter (DDT Dumping)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 03/02/2021
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive a report on the history of DDT dumping off
the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast to send a letter supporting containment and
remediation.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a report on the history of DDT dumping off the Palos Verdes
Peninsula coast; and
(2) Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to federal and state agencies calling for a
new assessment of the extent of offshore DDT contamination, enhanced
monitoring of sediment and wildlife, and options for containment and remediation.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Megan Barnes, Senior Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Montrose Settlements Restoration Program fact sheet (page A-1)
B. October 2020 Los Angeles Times article on DDT dumping:
https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-coast-ddt-dumping-ground/
C. Draft letter to federal and state agencies on DDT dumping (page C-1)
BACKGROUND:
In recent months, the issue of historic chemical dumping off the coast of the Palos
Verdes Peninsula has come into renewed focus amid new revelations about the known
extent of the activity.
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According to the recent RPV Citizen Satisfaction Survey, impacts of chemical dumping
off the coast were ranked the second most concerning local environmental issue among
respondents after ocean/beach pollution. Health of marine life was ranked the fourth
most concerning local environmental issue.
At the request of the Mayor, tonight, Staff will provide a brief overview of the history of
DDT dumping off the coast and new information that has surfaced. If the City Council
wishes to support renewed advocacy on this issue, Staff has prepared a draft letter to
federal and state agencies calling for a new assessment of the extent of offshore DDT
contamination, enhanced monitoring of sediment and wildlife, and options for
remediation and containment.
DDT Production and Sewer Dumping
From the 1940s through the early 1970s, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was a
popular pesticide widely used in agriculture and to combat insect-borne diseases. DDT
was banned in the United States in 1972 due to its harmful effects on wildlife and
humans, though it is still used in some parts of the world to control the spread of
malaria.
The largest manufacturer of DDT was the Montrose Chemical Corporation located near
Torrance on Normandie Avenue near Del Amo Boulevard. Millions of pounds of DDT
from the Montrose plant were dumped through the sewer system into the ocean through
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the White Point outfall off the coast of San Pedro, resulting in large-scale contamination
of the sediment of a submarine area just off the coast of the Peninsula known as the
Palos Verdes Shelf.
DDT is a persistent, toxic chemical compound that accumulates as it moves up the food
chain through fish, animals and humans through a process known as biomagnification.
It has been shown to cause eggshell-thinning in birds of prey, and has been linked to
the dramatic decline of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and other seabirds. Chemical
levels in some fish have been detected at such high levels that the State of California
has issued warnings and restrictions to reduce the risk of cancer, liver disease and birth
defects.
Montrose discontinued manufacturing DDT and closed its plant in 1983. The company
was later sued by the federal and state governments for causing environmental
contamination. In 2001, a $140 million settlement was reached with Montrose and
related companies to clean up Superfund sites — including the 17-square-mile Palos
Verdes Shelf — and support habitat restoration projects and public education
campaigns about poisoned fish (Attachment A).
In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it intended to
implement a capping project for the Palos Verdes Shelf Superfund site that would place
clean sediment over the contaminated ocean floor. However, this approach was
suspended when the agency determined the site condition changed and capping may
no longer be effective. The EPA is developing a feasibility study for a final remediation
strategy.
Among projects resulting from the Montrose settlement was the recently completed
Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project, which constructed artificial reefs just off the
coast of Rancho Palos Verdes to restore rocky reef habitat that was destroyed by
sediment from landslides. According to the Vantuna Research Group at Occidental
College, fish and invertebrates, including kelp bass, sheephead, and lobsters, have
returned to the site. A first full annual report is set to be released by May 1.
Offshore Barrel Dumping
In October 2020, a Los Angeles Times investigation shed light on Montrose’s additional
practice of dumping thousands of barrels of DDT-contaminated sludge into deep ocean
waters via barge between the coast of the Peninsula and Catalina Island, puncturing
some to ensure they would sink (Attachment B). Although this dumping activity was not
previously undisclosed, it was lesser-known and not the focus of the Montrose
settlement. The article highlighted research by Dr. David Valentine, a professor at UC
Santa Barbara, who used a deep-sea robot to confirm the presence of these leaking
barrels and test sediment for DDT contamination. Dr. Valentine’s discovery was further
confirmed by reporting by the Los Angeles Times, which found that as many as 500,000
barrels of the DDT-laced acid waste could be on the sea floor. It should be noted that
these barrels appear to have been dumped mostly in federal waters.
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In addition to the mass dumping of barrels, the article raised questions about the
success of long-term remediation efforts at the Palos Verdes Shelf Superfund site. As
noted above, the EPA is in the process of developing a feasibility study for a final
strategy.
DISCUSSION:
In the months since the publication of the Los Angeles Times article, environmental
groups including Heal the Bay and LA Waterkeeper have called for action on this issue,
including further study of the true extent of the DDT dumping and contamination and
enhanced monitoring of sediment and affected wildlife.
It is Staff’s understanding that the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein has engaged
congressional representatives from the South Bay and Harbor Area to explore myriad
issues raised by the Los Angeles Times reporting, questions of jurisdiction, an
assessment of the full extent of the contamination, implications for the health of wildlife
and humans, and potential remediation options. Staff understands that the offices of
Representatives Ted Lieu, Alan Lowenthal and Nanette Barragán have participated in
meetings with Senator Feinstein’s office, the EPA and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regarding these issues. Additionally,
Assemblymember Al Muratuschi has met with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Deputy
Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy and is awaiting recommendations on what can
be done at the state level.
If the City Council wishes to support renewed advocacy on this issue, Staff has
prepared a draft letter to the EPA, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control
Board and the California Coastal Commission calling for a new assessment of the
extent of offshore DDT contamination, enhanced monitoring of sediment and wildlife,
and options for containment and remediation. The letter also calls for an update on the
status and success of remediation at the Palos Verdes Shelf Superfund site.
CONCLUSION:
Given the new information about the extent of local DDT dumping and residents’
interest in this issue, Staff recommends the City Council (1) receive and file tonight’s
report; and (2) authorize the Mayor to sign a letter, as drafted, or with revisions, to
federal and state agencies calling for a new assessment of the extent of offshore DDT
contamination, enhanced monitoring of sediment and wildlife, and options for
containment and remediation.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available
for the City Council’s consideration:
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1. Receive and file a report on the history of DDT dumping off the Palos Verdes
Peninsula coast and direct Staff to take no further action.
2. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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Program History
From the late 1940s to the early 1970s,
millions of pounds of DDTs and PCBs
were discharged from industrial
sources through a wastewater outfall
into the ocean near Los Angeles. Large
quantities of these chemicals remain in
the marine environment and continue
to harm birds and impair fishing in
the Southern California Bight (marine
waters covering the mainland shelf from
Point Conception to the Mexican border
including the Channel Islands).
Throughout the U.S., DDT has caused
Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons to lay
thin-shelled eggs that dessicate or break
during incubation. For many years, Bald
Eagles reintroduced to Catalina Island
had difficulty hatching their eggs with
out human assistance. In addition, some
species of seabirds exhibited severe
eggshell thinning. For certain species
of fish contaminated with high levels
of DDTs and PCBs near Los Angeles,
the State of California has issued fish
consumption advisories. The State has
also banned commercial fishing for white
croaker near the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
The State and Federal governments
initiated action against Montrose
Chemical Corporation and the other
polluters responsible for the natural
resource injuries. In December 2001, a
final settlement was signed, ending ten
years of litigation.
MSRP PRogRaM oveRview
Gabrielle Dorr
Montrose Settlements
Restoration Program
501 W. Ocean Blvd. Suite 4470
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 980-3236
gabrielle.dorr@noaa.gov
www.montroserestoration.gov
August 2013
Cleanup and Restoration
Following the Superfund law, these
funds are being used for two different
kinds of activities:
1. The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the California
Department of Toxic Substances
Control will use a share of the funding
to reduce the exposure of people and
wildlife to DDTs and PCBs. For example,
these agencies are considering several
remediation, or “cleanup,” options, and
are conducting additional efforts to
prevent commercial catch of and reduce
public consumption of contaminated
fish.
2. The Natural Resource Trustees, through
the Montrose Settlements Restoration
Program (MSRP), was awarded
approximately $38 million to restore
natural resources harmed by DDTs and
PCBs.
California Scorpionfish
(David Witting, NOAA)
Bald eagle
(Lee Emery, USFWS)
National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration;
National Park Service;
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
California Department
of Fish and Wildlife;
California Department
of Parks and Recreation; and
California State Lands Commission.
Who are the Natural Resource Trustees?
The Natural Resource Trustees are a group
of six federal and state resource agencies
that together administer the Montrose
Settlements Restoration Program. These
agencies are:
www.montroserestoration.
noaa.gov
www.facebook.com/
msrprestoration
A-1
MSRP PhaSe 1 ReStoRation highlightS
Cassin’s Auklet chick during banding.
(Laurie Harvey, CIES)
Scripps’s Murrelet chicks in nest.
(Darrel Whitworth, CIES)
Restore Nesting Habitat for Seabirds
on the Channel Islands MSRP is restoring
seabird nesting habitat on the Channel
Islands, specifically on Scorpion and Orizaba
Rocks, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and San
Nicolas Islands. Seabird restoration projects
include non-native plant and animal removal,
revegetation with native plants, and social
attraction. Since 2007, MSRP with the help
of partner organizations, planted 20,000+
native plants, installed 50+ artificial nests,
removed feral cats from San Nicolas Island,
and completed several years of seabird and
oceanographic monitoring surveys among
the islands. In 2011 and 2012, biologists
discovered Cassin’s Auklet seabirds nesting in
newly restored habitat on Santa Barbara Island.
Seabird nesting habitat restoration work
began on several Baja California Pacific Islands
in 2013.
MSRP Phase 1 restoration projects are in various stages of implementation.
The following are highlights for Phase 1 projects.
Restore Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands
MSRP implemented a feasibility study to
determine whether the northern Channel
Islands could support a self-sustaining
population of Bald Eagles. The Institute for
Wildlife Studies biologists successfully released
61 eagles on Santa Cruz Island and initiated
a comprehensive monitoring program. The
first natural hatching of a Bald Eagle in 2006
on Santa Cruz Island was a milestone for
the study. Since the first natural hatchling,
biologists have continued to observe
successful nesting among the Channel Island
Bald Eagles currently breeding on four of eight
Channel Islands. Approximately 60 eagles
reside on the Channel Islands and new pairs
are expected to establish additional breeding
territories across the Channel Islands.
Outreach Focus: MSRP Gets High-Tech
In recent years, MSRP has incorporated technology into public outreach
activities to engage the public in important restoration projects taking place
throughout Southern California. Visitors to local science centers and aquaria
can experience California native wildlife in 3D at an MSRP kiosk. From your
computer at home you can watch the underwater world of the wetlands in
Huntington Beach on a live webcam. You can also view Bald Eagle chicks live in
their nests on the Channel Islands Live Bald Eagle webcam broadcasting from
Santa Cruz and Catalina Islands.
MSRP Fish Webcam
www. montroserestoration.noaa.gov/
multimedia/fish-webcams/
Bald Eagle Webcam
www.montroserestoration.noaa.gov/
multi-media/bald-eagle-webcam/
Interact with 3D Animations
www.montroserestoration.noaa.gov/
multimedia/3d-animation/
A-2
Monitor Peregrine Falcons on the Channel
Islands In 2007, a comprehensive Peregrine
Falcon monitoring effort across all eight of
the Channel Islands was completed. Biologists
found 25 active territories and 16 falcon pairs
that successfully hatched eggs to produce
a total of 35 young. One of the highlights of
the 2007 survey was the documentation of
a successful breeding pair on Santa Barbara
Island. This event was the first documented
breeding on the island in over 50 years! MSRP
is planning to conduct a second monitoring
survey in 2013.
Divers working in kelp forest.
(David Witting, NOAA)
Young girl during youth fishing derby.
(Gabrielle Dorr, NOAA)
Restore Recreational Fishing in Southern
California MSRP is providing information
to the public about fish contamination and
improving access to a diversity of healthy fish
species. MSRP, along with partners, created
several popular outreach products including
a “Common Subsistence and Sport Fish of
Southern California” identification card with
safe fishing tips and the “What’s the Catch?”
comic book, both in three different languages,
which are distributed to the public every year.
Outreach mini-grants awarded to youth fishing
organizations by MSRP are spreading the word
about safe fishing and how to avoid “Do Not
Consume” fish species. In the near future, MSRP
hopes to build artificial reef modules along
the Belmont Pier in Long Beach, California,
to attract a greater diversity of fish species
available for consumption.
Restore Fish Habitat in Southern California
MSRP focused on two major areas of fish
habitat restoration for Phase 1, wetlands and
Marine Protected Areas (MPA). Partial funding
for Huntington Beach Wetlands was used to
restore Talbert and Brookhurst Marshes in
this complex and opened up approximately
140 acres of wetland habitat to full-tidal
flow. MSRP funding for Bolsa Chica Wetlands
supported dredging of the ocean inlet to
maintain full tidal exchange. MSRP funded the
National Park Service and the Partnership for
Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans to
collect data on the effective management of
MPAs.
MSRP PhaSe 1 ReStoRation highlightS
Aerial view of Huntington Beach Wetlands
restoration. (Earthcam, NOAA)
Peregrine Falcon chicks in nest after banding.
(Brian Latta, TBG)
A-3
MSRP PhaSe 2 ReStoRation PRojectS
Restore Subtidal Reef and Kelp Forest
Habitat on the Palos Verdes Shelf MSRP
is restoring critical fish habitat on the Palos
Verdes Shelf. Kelp forests and rocky reefs
are known to produce more fish than other
habitat types and typically have fish with
lower concentrations of DDTs and PCBs in their
tissues. MSRP will build artificial reef modules
in areas impacted by sediment erosion along
the coast. Kelp forests in this area have been
impacted by the loss of urchin predators which
resulted in an increase in urchins essentially
wiping out kelp forests. For this project, MSRP
will partner with commercial urchin divers
and local non-profit organizations to perform
urchin barren control allowing for natural
kelp recruitment and growth. The kelp forest
restoration project began in 2012.
Monitor Bald Eagles on the Channel
Islands MSRP is monitoring Bald Eagles
on the Channel Islands to determine if a
self-sustaining population is feasible. The
monitoring program continued from Phase 1
will focus on breeding activities, investigation
of diet, survival and contaminant analysis. The
program has shifted from extensive year-
round monitoring to a more directed focus of
understanding the eagle’s annual population
status.
Monitor the Recovery of Peregrine Falcons
on the Channel Islands MSRP will conduct
two comprehensive monitoring efforts on the
Channel Islands during Phase 2. Biologists will
monitor active Peregrine Falcon territories
to determine their reproductive success and
levels of DDT will be measured from egg and
blood samples.
Restore Seabirds to Santa Barbara Island
and Scorpion Rock MSRP will continue and
expand the restoration work on Santa Barbara
Island and Scorpion Rock from Phase 1. On
Santa Barbara Island, biologists will expand
existing restoration sites and add new sites.
MSRP will continue with removal of non-native
plants on Scorpion Rock until native plants are
fully established and outcompete non-native
plants. Biologists will also install nest boxes
and social attraction devices on Santa Barbara
Island and continue monitoring of seabirds at
both areas.
Restore Ashy Storm-Petrels on the
Channel Islands In Phase 2, biologists will
continue work on Orizaba Rock projects
but also may expand to include restoration
projects throughout the Channel Islands
as appropriate. Activities may include
improvement of nesting habitat, social
attraction, installation of artificial nesting
boxes, monitoring, and performing
contaminant analysis on eggs.
Reduce Seabird Disturbance on the Channel
Islands This project will build upon on-
going seabird disturbance reduction efforts
that have been developed by the Seabird
Protection Network of California. Beginning
in 2013, the focus of this project will be
on developing and enforcing appropriate
seabird colony protective measures, educating
the public and specific user groups about
protective measures, and evaluating program
effectiveness for integration into statewide
seabird management programs.
MSRP projects from the Phase 2 Restoration Plan are described below.
Ashy Storm-Petrel using marine debris
for nest.
(Darrell Whitworth, CIES)
Diver collecting urchins during removal
project.
(David Witting, NOAA)
A-4
March 2, 2021 Via Email
Dr. Deborah Jordan, Deputy Regional Administrator
Region 9, Pacific Southwest Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
The Honorable Lawrence Yee, Chair
Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
320 W. 4th Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90013
The Honorable Steve Padilla, Chair
California Coastal Commission
455 Market Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
SUBJECT: Assessment of Offshore DDT Dumping
Dear Regulators,
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is troubled by the revelations reported in the Los
Angeles Times regarding the true extent of DDT dumping off the coast of the Palos
Verdes Peninsula.
This issue has been of high interest to our community for decades. In fact, a recent
survey of Rancho Palos Verdes residents found that the impacts of chemical dumping in
our coastal waters was the second most concerning local environmental issue among
respondents after ocean and beach pollution. Health of marine life was ranked the
fourth most concerning local environmental issue by respondents.
The protection of our natural resources is a tenet of the City’s founding values. But we
cannot determine whether DDT remediation efforts have been effective if we do not
know the full extent of the harm done to our ecosystem. We are calling on federal and
state agencies to conduct an assessment of how many barrels of DDT-laced waste are
on the seafloor, where they are located and leaking, how much the DDT has spread and
accumulated, and what can be done to contain the leaking and clean up contamination.
Increased monitoring of sediment and wildlife is key to understanding the long-term
damage of this activity on our environment.
C-1
Additionally, the City requests a comprehensive update on the status and success of
long-term remediation efforts at the Palos Verdes Superfund site, which is located just
off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes.
We support efforts to keep this important issue on the forefront and are eager to learn
what actions can be taken to ensure it is being adequately addressed.
Sincerely,
Eric Alegria
Mayor
cc: Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, California
Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator, California
Ted Lieu, U.S. Representative, 33rd Congressional District
Alan Lowenthal, U.S. Representative, 47th Congressional District
Nanette Barragán, U.S. Representative, 44th Congressional District
Ben Allen, Senator, 26th State Senate District
Steven Bradford, Senator, 35th State Senate District
Al Muratsuchi, Assembly Member, 66th Assembly District
Patrick O’Donnell, Assembly Member, 70th Assembly District
Janice Hahn, L.A. County Supervisor, 4th District
Joe Buscaino, L.A. City Councilmember, 15th District
Ann Marshall, Mayor, City of Avalon
Shelley Luce, President and CEO, Heal the Bay
Bruce Reznik, Executive Director, LA Waterkeeper
Tom Ford, CEO, The Bay Foundation
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
Ara Mihranian, City Manager
Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
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