Rocketdyne to Train Soil Test Observers

Residents interested in observing the soil sampling at Rocketdyne’s Santa Susana Field Laboratory--used for decades to test Cold War-era rocket engines and nuclear reactors--must attend a training session Thursday.

Rocketdyne is opening the cleanup of its field lab--soiled with spilled toxins and radioactive elements--near Simi Valley to public scrutiny.

“Community members had indicated that they had an interest in observing the soil sampling activities,” said Inger Hodgson, a specialist in Rocketdyne’s safety, health and environmental affairs department.

Since cleanup began at the 2,668-acre open-air field lab in 1989, residents have accused Rocketdyne of doing a lousy job. An explosion at the site killed two Rocketdyne physicists in 1994.

Rocketdyne’s parent, Rockwell International--which has since merged with Boeing to form Boeing North American--pleaded guilty last spring to illegal waste disposal at the field lab after the FBI learned that the physicists died while trying to blow up rocket fuel chemicals to get rid of them. Rockwell has already paid $6.5 million in fines in connection with the case, which remains open.

So far, nine people have confirmed that they will attend the training session, which will take place between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Rocketdyne Recreation Center. Additional training sessions will be scheduled for people unable to attend Thursday’s session. For information, call Hodgson at (818) 586-3821.

Once residents have attended the training session, their names and Social Security numbers will be provided to Rocketdyne security at the field lab’s front gate. Registered residents may observe soil sampling Monday through Friday, by reservation, through the program’s duration.

Only four people--chosen on a first-come, first-served basis--may visit the site each day. Reservations must be made two days in advance by calling (818) 586-4471.