RRecently, our community has been hammered by several highly
critical stories on perchlorate from a variety of points of
view.
RRecently, our community has been hammered by several highly critical stories on perchlorate from a variety of points of view. As a member of our community who has been deeply involved in the issue of perchlorate clean up, I welcome all perspectives, view and opinions, especially rational suggestions about successfully improving groundwater cleanup and restoration. The public deserves to receive factual information and have opportunities to provide input.
Fortunately, most of the efforts regarding perchlorate contamination in our community are taking a balanced approach that is protective, yet reasonable, while promoting timely remediation. As an example, immediately following the January 2003 shocking news that our groundwater had been contaminated, the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance (SMNA) started researching and net working. As a result, in April 2003 the state’s Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, along with SMNA, established the Perchlorate Community Advisory Group (PCAG) and held the first of our monthly meetings.
A great deal has been accomplished since that time and the positive results are due to the skilled collaborative work of a broad cross-section of talented, persistent individuals from many levels of expertise.
The membership of PCAG consists of residents (Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy); Agencies (such as the Regional Water Board, Water District, County Agriculture, EPA research team and local water companies), and state legislative staff. PCAG has become a dedicated, knowledgeable and cohesive team whose members believe the key to effective, timely problem solving is education, active listening and open-communication.
We support protective yet reasonable action, which is neither fear- nor apathy-based. PCAG’s conscientious, balanced approach has kept all responsible parties at the table working toward timely resolution. This last point cannot be stressed enough: Because our community is working with the responsible parties and agencies, we have avoided a contentious and litigious atmosphere that could have derailed all attempts for timely remediation
In the past two years, numerous protection and remediation measures have taken place such as: free delivered water, perchlorate removal systems on five municipal wells and, recently, implementation of treatment for privately owned wells. A large volume of vital data has been collected for remediation decisions and numerous new monitoring wells have been installed. There are new extraction wells for prevention of continued groundwater contamination from the pollution source site, and impressive success with ‘site’ soil remediation. Yes, there is a lot more to do, but we have come a long way.
SMNA and PCAG welcome all perspectives, views and opinions, especially rational suggestions about improving groundwater cleanup and restoration. We encourage writers and concerned community residents to increase their awareness by attending and participating in discussions at regularly scheduled PCAG meetings. To get on the interested party roster, contact
zk*****@va*********.org
or call 408-265-2607 x 2638. Our next PCAG meeting is Friday, May 6, at 2pm at the San Martin Lions Club Hall, 12415 Murphy Ave., behind the airport.
We believe positive actions speak louder than emotional words. Together we make a difference.
Sylvia Hamilton, a San Martin resident, is chairwoman of PCAG and president of SMNA. She may be contacted at
nf*@sm********.org
. Readers interested in writing a guest column should contact editor Walt Glines at
ed******@mo*************.com
or 408-779-4106.
