Cleaning, Restoring and Preserving
Together, we are moving forward with a safe and effective cleanup at Santa Susana, preserving it for future generations as open space.
Boeing agreed to the comprehensive framework developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA) to implement a clear and accelerated plan for a stringent cleanup of the former Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) site. SSFL, a former rocket engine testing and energy research facility, sits within a key habitat linkage connecting California’s coast with inland mountain ranges. It is home to abundant wildlife, rare plant species, and Native American cultural resources.
The cleanup framework protects the important biological and cultural resources at the site, which will never be developed under a conservation easement. It also reflects Boeing’s deep commitment to safety, sustainability, and the communities where we live and work.
Restoration efforts are underway — we hope you will follow our progress as the cleanup and restoration move forward.
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News and Events
Santa Susana's future as open space
We announced 10 years ago we would preserve Santa Susana as open space. That promise is now reality.
Environmental Stewardship Recognized
The Wildlife Habitat Council, which works with corporations and conservation organizations to create wildlife habitat enhancement education programs, presented the award to Boeing.
Wildlife around the watering hole
From mountain lions to coast night snakes, check out the wildlife that frequent Santa Susana.
Treating Groundwater Onsite
Learn more about our Field Laboratory-Groundwater Investigation
A Bright Future for Santa Susana
The restoration of the Santa Susana landscape is well underway; native plants and animals have already reclaimed much of its 2,850 acres. Due to its past sensitive government work, Santa Susana has remained in many ways protected and isolated — one of the most intact and vast natural areas (or wildlife linkages) right in the middle of the urbanization of the immensely populated Simi and San Fernando Valleys.
Santa Susana remains a site of historic significance with towering rocket engine test stands on NASA land and Native American artifacts throughout the property. After restoration is complete, Santa Susana will continue to be a place where mountain lions roam free, cultural artifacts remain undisturbed, and oak woodlands have the opportunity to thrive. Boeing secured a conservation easement that forever protects the site's vast natural and cultural features, and permanently preserves nearly 2,400 acres at the site.
A Comprehensive Cleanup
Since becoming the owner of a majority of the land in 1996, Boeing has made considerable progress cleaning up and restoring Santa Susana. After decades of investigation activities, we have an extensive understanding of the site, which helps us monitor in the right places. We have taken proactive measures to address legacy contamination and ensure the continued safety of the surrounding community.
In 2022, Boeing agreed to the comprehensive framework proposed by the Cal EPA to implement a clear and accelerated plan for cleanup at the former SSFL site. That agreement included two interim cleanup measures. Work on the first to restore adjacent open space at Sage Ranch began in the summer of 2022 and is expected to be complete in 2023. Work on the second to address the Area I burnpit should commence later this year.
The framework involves two state agencies - the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Los Angeles Water Board) - and provides Boeing with a clear process, schedule, and criteria for future decision-making at SSFL. The framework also accelerates cleanup, reduces the potential for technical disputes and establishes a process to resolve them quickly, avoiding delays from litigation. When complete, the cleanup will be one of the most stringent ever ordered in California.
Federal and state laws require that sites be cleaned up to limit risks to human health and the environment based upon current and future land use. Boeing’s agreement with the state goes beyond this level given that Boeing’s property will remain open space forever and never be developed under an irrevocable conservation easement.
Key Elements of the Cleanup Framework
- Boeing has agreed to clean radionuclides in soil to “background” levels in its areas of responsibility;
- Given the potential for extreme weather due to climate change, Boeing has agreed to start cleanup of the Area I Burn Pit, currently covered by a geotextile fabric, as soon as Spring 2023;
- Boeing has agreed not to contest DTSC’s selection of a broad range of cleanup standards including a resident with garden exposure standard. Under that standard, soil would be remediated to allow people to live onsite and consume produce from a backyard garden even though the site will be preserved as open space;
- Boeing has agreed, following completion of its soil cleanup, to conduct years of post-cleanup monitoring and prepare a Human Health Risk Assessment, to demonstrate that runoff from its areas of concern is not polluted;
- The DTSC Settlement Agreement processes include safeguards to protect important environmental and cultural resources at the site; and,
- The expedited timeline, streamlined process, and dispute resolution procedure in the DTSC Settlement Agreement will accelerate the cleanup.
More information about the comprehensive agreement can be found on the Cal EPA website.
Videos
In Their Words
Santa Susana is uniquely positioned at the intersection of biological, cultural, ecological, and historical significance… Many individuals and groups currently use the site for research, education, and inspiration.
These are their words.
Follow Our Progress
Restoration work at Santa Susana is underway and will continue until the site is fully restored and preserved for future generations. We invite you to follow our progress as these efforts continue.
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