The proposal provided to and ratified by the Central Coast Water Board puts water treatment and monitoring plans in motion and prioritizes public outreach for area neighbors and community members.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — The County of San Luis Obispo, in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), have reached a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement with the Central Coast Water Board related to the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) discharged at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP). The County of San Luis Obispo (County) serves as the operator of SBP and CAL FIRE is the contracted agency that provides fire suppression onsite.
“As we move forward, we pledge to work closely with the impacted stakeholders – to foster a collective effort towards protecting our environment. We recognize that maintaining an open line of communication is vital” shared Courtney Johnson, Director of Airports. “We will provide regular updates, address any concerns promptly, and seek feedback to ensure that our efforts align with the needs and objectives of the community we all serve.”
“The presence of PFAS remains a complex issue as federal regulations require use of PFAS-containing fire suppression foam during certain emergency response operations,” said CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit Chief John Owens. “CAL FIRE takes great pride in our role of protecting the community while being a good neighbor and trusted community partner, and we appreciate the environmental public health solutions that today’s agreement provides for area neighbors. We are grateful for everyone who has engaged in this process, and we look forward to delivering the outcomes of this agreement with the community and our many partners in the coming months.”
This Voluntary Cleanup Agreement has been a collaborative effort between the multiple government agencies with the health and safety of the public at the forefront. The County and CAL FIRE are committed to addressing public health concerns associated with PFAS.
The ratified agreement outlines concrete actions to promptly address the presence of PFAS in groundwater and it serves as a blueprint for future response actions. The multi-agency partnership demonstrates the power of collective action in securing a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for the impacted community and the residents served.
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San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) serves areas as far north as Southern Monterey County and as far south as Northern Santa Barbara County. The airport offers convenient access to and from California’s Central Coast. Residents and visitors have the choice of three commercial airlines with flights to several major U.S. hubs. The airport is also home to full-service general aviation and corporate facilities. For more information, or to book a flight, visit sloairport.com.
