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PUC seeks $9.5 million from water fund to clean lead‑contaminated soil at Lake Merced
Summary
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission requested a $9.5 million supplemental appropriation from its water enterprise fund to excavate lead‑contaminated soil at the former Pacific Rod and Gun Club site adjacent to Lake Merced; total estimated cleanup cost is $22,005,000 and PUC expects construction to start in April and last about a year.
The Public Utilities Commission asked the Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Finance Committee on Feb. 4 to approve a $9.5 million supplemental appropriation from water enterprise funds to clean lead‑contaminated soil at the former Pacific Rod and Gun Club site next to Lake Merced.
"This item is requesting a supplemental appropriation of $9,500,000 of water enterprise funds, for the cleanup of the Pacific Rod and Gun Club site, adjacent to Lake Merced," Steve Ritchie, assistant general manager for water for the PUC, told the committee. Ritchie said the site accumulated lead pellet debris over roughly 60 years and the PUC plans to excavate and replace soil to bring the property to safe levels for potential future uses.
The committee's budget analyst, Mr. Rose, reported that the total estimated cost to clean and replace soil is $22,005,000; $12,505,000 has already been appropriated and the requested $9,500,000 would allow the PUC to complete environmental review, construction management and construction. Mr. Rose said the construction contract portion is estimated at $18,500,000, or about 84 percent of the total, but cautioned bids were not yet received.
PUC officials told the committee that bids for the project would open the day after the meeting and that cleanup work is expected to begin in April. "The schedule for the cleanup lasts probably on the order of the year," Ritchie said, adding that weather could affect earth‑moving activities. He also said the PUC intends to begin a public process, in coordination with Recreation and Park, to consider future uses of the site once cleanup is under way.
The PUC has filed a complaint against the gun club to recover cleanup costs and said that, as the property owner, the city is also named on a Regional Water Quality Control Board order that directs the cleanup. Committee members pressed the PUC on liability and timing; Supervisor Marr said it "doesn't sit well" that ratepayers are fronting costs and asked staff to pursue recovery from the club. Ritchie confirmed the club's lease is set to expire on April 8 and the PUC expects to assume control and begin the cleanup thereafter.
The Budget and Finance Committee voted without objection to place the requested $9,500,000 on committee reserve pending receipt of construction bids and to forward the amended ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
Next steps: the committee will forward the ordinance to the full Board with its recommendation; the PUC will receive bids, select a contractor and begin cleanup planning and a public process for future site use.
