Bay Area State Park Sites Cleaned Up: Waste Board approves $1.2 million in grants for waste removal projects

SACRAMENTO--The California Integrated Waste Management Board awarded more than $1.2 million in grants for the cleanup and removal of illegal waste dumped at two State parks in the Bay Area.

"Illegal disposal is a threat and demands action," said Board Chair Margo Reid Brown. "These clean up grants, and work partnership with local, state, and federal agencies, will help us to protect the health of our people and our environment."

At today's meeting the Board approved the following cleanup grant allocations:

Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, San Francisco City/County, $1.2 million

The $1.2 million allocation will clean up part of the San Francisco Bay shoreline next to Monster Park stadium, home to the San Francisco 49ers. The site is considered the most blighted facility in the California State Parks system. The cleanup area covers approximately 13 acres of the 170-acre recreation area and was used for years for the illegal dumping of concrete and other debris into San Francisco Bay. Concrete rubble and other debris removed from the site – ranging from asphalt and metal to old tires and waste wood -- will be recycled if feasible, and the cleanup site will be replanted. The recreation area offers an array of outdoor activities, including picnic areas, hiking trails and opportunities to fish from the shoreline and two fishing piers.

Cowell Ranch/John Marsh State Historic Park, City of Brentwood, Contra Costa County, $35,000

The $35,000 allocation will fund the removal of partially-buried debris from a former ranching operation at one of California's newest state parks. Cleanup of the 3,600-acre archeological sensitive site, which is not yet open to the public, will allow state archeologists to continue their efforts to document and preserve Native American artifacts on the property.

The grants awarded today come from the Waste Board's Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Grant Program, which funds the cleanup of sites when a responsible party cannot be identified or is unable or unwilling to pay cleanup costs. The grants accelerate timely cleanup of dump sites that pose a risk to public health or the environment.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

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