California’s Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) has issued first-time draft guidance for assessing a contaminated site’s vulnerabilities to rising sea levels and determining whether such sites will be protective over time.
Sea Level Rise Guidance to DTSC Project Managers for Cleanup Activities provides information on sea level rise and related phenomena that can result in damage to remedial work, identifies DTSC’s authority to address sea level rise during cleanup, and mandates that project managers consider sea level rise and related phenomena in the remediation process.
According to the department, the ability to incorporate sea level rise in site cleanups can better protect public health and the environment by guarding against releases of uncontrolled hazardous substances in surface water, ground water, air, soil, and sediment. DTSC will collect public input on the document until October 31, and will then update the guidance early in 2024.
