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September 1,2011 Mr. Richard Hanner, Editor Lodi News-Sentinel 125 N. Church Street Lodi, CA 95240 richardh@lodinews.com Dear Mr. Hanner, I am writing in regard to the August 30, 2011 community forum held in the Cottage Room at Hutchins Street Square. This forum was convened to allow members of the general public to comment on a potential new kayak and canoe access point to the Mokelumne River. The proposed access area would be located on two parcels(Assessor's Parcel Nos. 041-250-38 and 041-410-01) south of the river at the site of the former City of Lodi dump,just east of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks,north of Turner Road at the terminus of Awani Drive. In this letter, I hope to address the primary concerns raised by residents living in neighborhoods adjacent to this site. Concern: Opening the old dump site to public access would lead to unsafe exposure to hazardous waste. Exposure to potential hazardous materials on the property in question is more likely in the current condition than if a river access site were to be constructed. People who currently access the land traverse bare soil,where they are exposed to danger from contaminants, sharp objects, and other possible hazards. Rainwater probably percolates uncontrolled through the soil of the former dump site; it likely seeps into the river and the groundwater table,and possibly runs off into adjacent properties. Furthermore,dust from the exposed dump site blows into adjacent neighborhoods. I don't know the history of the former dump site or the types of materials that were disposed of there (household trash, construction waste, chemicals?). However, environmental review of the proposed public access facility pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)and other applicable state environmental laws would be required prior to construction. [The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)and other federal environmental laws would also apply if the City secures funding from a federal source.] This review would include preparation of a site assessment report to identify any potential hazards, and soil sampling to identify and quantify any hazardous substances present. Mitigation would consist of appropriate remediation measures as required by law. For example, some contaminated soil might need to be removed and disposed of at a Class I facility equipped to handle hazardous waste. Construction of a paved access road and facility would help to encapsulate any remaining materials of concern and reduce dust exposure for nearby residences. Groundwater monitoring might be implemented. These and other measures would significantly reduce exposure of residents and other users to substances of concern. Concern: Construction of a paved road and access facility would result in polluted runoff entering the Mokelumne River. Paving parts of the site in question would actually help to reduce this concern,especially since runoff from the site is now uncontrolled. Standard"best management practices"(such as erosion and sediment control measures,monitoring programs,runoff infiltration,etc.)would be implemented before,during, and after project construction to reduce storm water discharge into adjacent waterways, and roads and/or other paved facilities would be designed with proper drainage facilities to minimize or prevent the flow of potentially polluted water into the Mokelumne River.