City Of Martinez Statement On County Well being Advisory

Press release from the City of Martinez:

MARTINEZ, CA — The City of Martinez City Council and employees are actively monitoring the suggestions from Contra Costa Well being (CC Well being) following the release of spent catalyst at the Martinez Refining Enterprise (MRC) in November. CC Well being issued a overall health advisory on March 7, 2023, informing region residents to not consume fruits or vegetables grown in soil exposed to substances released final November till soil testing is total and the outcomes have been received and evaluated. To prevent prospective issues, County Well being officials advisable neighborhood gardeners replace the prime 12 inches of exposed soil prior to expanding plants for consumption.

Subscribe

“The City of Martinez supports Contra Costa Well being in responding to and investigating this occasion,” mentioned Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn. “While we recognize that the County’s recommendation to not consume things grown in our personal back yards is out of an abundance of caution, we are taking measures that can aid advocate for the overall health of our residents.”

“We know how frustrated our neighborhood is with this incident and its impacts. I have personally communicated our issues with the County, as properly as MRC’s management group,” she mentioned. MRC informed the City that a claims line has been established to address issues of these impacted by the release final November (800-542-7113). For residents replacing soil constant with CC Well being guidance, the City recommends maintaining documentation of all expenditures to submit with their claim.

City Actions: Ongoing Communication and Compost Giveaway

The City will continue to preserve the neighborhood informed about MRC’s actions by hosting neighborhood meetings as necessary, sending frequent neighborhood-wide informational emails, and delivering updates at all Council meetings. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the City’s e-newsletter right here. In addition, the City of Martinez is serving on the County’s MRC Oversight Committee, along with six Martinez residents, which will oversee the perform of independent authorities charged with conducting soil sampling and a neighborhood threat assessment. The City posts info about the incident and any updates on its internet site right here.

The City urges MRC to enhance its communications and outreach with residents in the City and the County. “Our prime priority is to perform with CC Well being and MRC to guarantee residents are greater informed as the incident investigation continues,” the Mayor mentioned.

Additional, the City is functioning with Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Workplace to expand use of the County-wide “Community Warning System” in the coming weeks. The aim of this is to supply broader neighborhood notifications, which includes by means of text message, when decrease-level incidents happen that could influence neighborhood security. Neighborhood members are encouraged to sign up now so they will commence getting improved notifications from the City as quickly as the plan goes reside. Pay a visit to http://cwsalerts.com/registration to sign up.

The City of Martinez is partnering with Republic Solutions to host a free of charge compost giveaway on Saturday, March 25th from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Martinez Marina. The City has confirmed that the compost is routinely sampled for contaminants per State recommendations and is certified for use. So far, around 130 residents have pre-registered to acquire compost. In response to a neighborhood have to have, Republic Solutions has agreed to reopen registration to permit for added registrations. Anybody with a Martinez 94553 address is eligible to participate. Registrants have to bring an ID, a shovel, containers, gloves, and put on closed-toe footwear. For a lot more information and to register, go right here.

This press release was made by the City of Martinez. The views expressed right here are the author’s personal.