Board debates Treasure Island master‑lease amendments and radiological concerns; items initially approved then rescinded

Members of the Board of Supervisors spent an extended portion of their Sept. 11 meeting on a package of Treasure Island items and a related presentation about newly identified, potentially radiologically impacted areas on the island.

Supervisor Jane Kim, joined by other supervisors, asked for the discussion after the items were sent to the full board from budget committee without recommendation. The items on the agenda were amendments to a set of master leases and a modification to the cooperative agreement with the U.S. Navy (agenda items 13 through 18). The Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) and the city’s Department of Public Health (DPH) made a joint presentation about the Navy’s cleanup program, regulatory oversight and planned follow‑up work.

Miriam Saez, Director of Operations for the Treasure Island Development Authority, outlined TIDA’s role and the purpose of the master leases, which TIDA uses to sublease properties and structures to generate revenue that helps fund property management and municipal service obligations under the cooperative agreement with the Navy. Saez introduced guest speakers from DPH and independent consultants to address recent media reports about newly identified areas in the Navy’s supplemental technical memorandum.

Amy Brownell, an environmental engineer with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, explained oversight roles: the Navy conducts cleanup work under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); the lead regulator for most cleanup work is the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and…