Laserfiche WebLink
• STATE OF CALIFORNIA-Environmental Protection Aaencv PETE WILSON. Gove <br /> CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD <br /> CENTRAL VALLEY REGION <br /> 3443 Rouder Road.Suite A --- <br /> Sacramento.CA 95827-3098 f <br /> PHONE:(916)255-3000 <br /> FAX:(9 16)255-3015 �►q�„v <br /> 23 October 1996 <br /> David Baker, County Administrator <br /> County of San Joaquin <br /> 222 East Weber <br /> Stockton, CA 95202 <br /> GOLDEN GA TE FRESH FOODS PROPERTYINLODI, (ALSO KNORNAS VICTOR FINE <br /> FOODS) -SANJOA QUIN COUNTY <br /> Golden Gate Fresh Foods (GGFF) operated a meat packing plant in Lodi. In 1994, the plant closed and <br /> most items of value were removed from the facility. GGFF failed to comply with Regional <br /> Board Orders to clean up soil and groundwater,resulting in a liability for cleanup. Excluding this <br /> liability, the remaining land has value and several people have discussed development of the property <br /> with the Regional Board. However, the liability for groundwater cleanup has prevented potential buyers <br /> from returning this property to productive use. The Regional Board is currently discussing the sale of <br /> this property to a potential buyer from the San Francisco Bay area. The potential buyer has requested a <br /> release of liability from the Regional Board. <br /> The value of the property has declined over the past several years due to the auctioning of equipment. <br /> theft and vandalism. GGFF is the current owner of the property. GGFF has offered an incentive to <br /> encourage the Regional Board to provide the requested liability waiver. That incentive includes a <br /> commitment of up to $200,000 from the property sale toward groundwater protection. remediation and <br /> monitoring; and a promise of improved site security. GGFF has refused to direct all proceeds from the <br /> sale to groundwater protection. <br /> Citizens of San Joaquin County and, in particular, the neighbors of the GGFF property have a great <br /> interest in the future use of the GGFF property. Should the salt water plume in groundwater reach <br /> neighboring wells, the financial impacts would be large. Neighbors must live with a constant threat to <br /> their water supply. Under these conditions, we would prefer that all proceeds from the sale go to fund <br /> remediation. <br /> GGFF was suspended by the Secretary of State on 1 February 1994, and suspended by the Franchise Tax <br /> Board on 2 May 1994. We understand that San Joaquin County taxes have not been paid on this <br /> property. GGFF officers are all in Canada. There appears to be no reason why the Regional Board or <br /> the Countyof San Joaquin should grant any favor to GGFF. particularly when that favor is at the <br /> expense of local residents. <br /> `.Ve would like to know if San Joaquin County has any interest in foreclosing on this property and then <br /> :eiline the property. The benefits to pan Joaquin County wouid be a return of this property to the tax <br />