How Clean Is Clean Enough?

California is decades behind other states in formulating a comprehensive brownfields policy, stifling economic development efforts.

1 minute read

December 16, 2003, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"But Tate's revitalization plans are repeatedly being held up by a problem common in urban areas throughout California: toxic chemicals lingering in the land, left behind by decades of industrial use. California has more brownfields, as the tainted sites are known, than any other state, and has been slower than most in cleaning them up. At the heart of the delays is a question that divides regulators, environmentalists and developers: How clean is clean enough?... California has anywhere from 90,000 to 120,000 parcels with known or suspected pollution from former gas stations and dry cleaners to old oil fields and glue factories according to accepted estimates from the state treasurer and real estate groups."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Read the full story: Cleanups Fuel Debate: How Much Is Enough?

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

Community / Economic Development California

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