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Mill Valley School District says preliminary environmental review finds typical landfill contaminants; draft EIR to enter public review this summer
Summary
School district officials told the city council the Preliminary Endangerment Assessment for the Mill Valley Middle School modernization found volatile organic compounds, metals, petroleum and dioxins under a 2–3 foot clay cap; the draft EIR and a 45-day public comment period are expected in July with a public hearing planned for August.
The Mill Valley School District told the City Council on June 2 that a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) for the Mill Valley Middle School modernization found contaminants consistent with a historical on-site burn dump, but staff and regulators do not currently consider the campus a health risk in its present condition. Tracy Craig, the district's communications consultant, said the draft PEA identifies volatile organic compounds, metals, petroleum products and dioxins beneath a roughly 2–3 foot clay cap placed when the site closed.
Craig said the PEA is under review by the Department of Toxic Substances Control, Marin County Environmental Health, and CalRecycle, and that the district is proceeding with a formal environmental impact report (EIR) rather than a mitigated negative declaration to determine the appropriate campus location and mitigation measures. "The findings also said ... the campus in its current condition does not present a risk to teachers or to students," Craig said.
Why it matters: The modernization project is funded with Measure G and would replace classroom space and add a drama and art center; the environmental findings influence whether the district can build on the current campus or must select an alternate site and what remediation or construction controls will be required. Craig said an EIR is a larger undertaking than a mitigated negative declaration and has expanded the project schedule by about a year.
What the district said: The draft PEA is posted on the district website as an initial informational document; the formal draft PEA and draft EIR are expected to be released for public review in July with a 45-day comment period and a community hearing planned for late August. Following agency review and responses to comments, the district expects agency approvals in September or October and a final EIR by late December, with a separate response plan and public comment period on mitigation in early 2026.
Safety and next steps: District staff noted ongoing monitoring by Marin County Environmental Health and existing methane monitors in some buildings. They said additional methane monitors will be installed as a precaution and that any construction that requires pulling back the protective cap would be done only under an agency-approved response plan designed to prevent off-site exposure. "If we were to pull back that cap for any kind of construction, that material would be daylighted and it could present a health risk," Craig said; she emphasized the district would not remove the cap without mitigation measures in place.
Community engagement: The district plans a public comment window and a special board of trustees meeting for community input. Craig encouraged residents to use posted materials and to contact district staff for information or to be connected with regulatory agencies.
What comes next: The public can review the draft documents and submit comments during the 45-day period; the district will return to the council with agency comments and a proposed response plan before any construction that disturbs the capped area.
