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Committee backs releasing reserves to resume Lake Merritt/Lake Merced remediation work
Summary
The committee agreed to release reserves to complete environmental review and limited remediation at the former Pacific Rod and Gun Club site, accepting a BLA technical reduction that lowers the recommended release from $2.4M to $2.295M.
The Budget and Finance Committee heard a request from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to release $2,400,000 in committee reserves for additional cleanup, CEQA review and permitting at the former Pacific Rod and Gun Club site on the southwestern shore of Lake Merced.
Obi Nzewi, a project manager with the SFPUC, summarized the site's history: shooting and trap-range activity there since 1928 caused high levels of lead and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in soil; a regional water quality control board order in 2013 required corrective measures and the SFPUC prepared an approved remedial action plan in 2014. Site excavation began in April 2015 and removed about 88,000 tons of contaminated soil; the site was backfilled and revegetated, but limited remediation and redevelopment steps remain.
Severn Campbell of the Budget Legislative Analyst’s Office said nearly $6.3 million remained in reserve for the project and recommended reducing contingencies by $105,000, and releasing $2,295,000 instead of the $2,400,000 requested. Chair Cohen asked SFPUC if the department was aware of the discrepancy; Obi Nzewi said he was and was "fine with it." Supervisor Katie Tang moved to accept the BLA amendment and to file the hearing and release the recommended reserve amount; the committee took that motion without objection.
The funds are intended to support CEQA review, permitting and limited soil remediation to enable redevelopment for public recreation uses (open space, picnic areas, kayaking, bocce), with CEQA review expected to begin at the end of 2017 and potential final remediation and construction starting in early 2019, per SFPUC remarks.
