News Release (C-2-98)

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For Immediate Release (C-2-98) Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670 April 17, 1998

Agreement Provides Early Transfer of 25 Acres at Mather Field

SACRAMENTO--The California Environmental Protection Agency's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) today announced approval of a unique plan which will provide for the early transfer of 25-acres of land at the former Mather Field Air Force Base to Sacramento County for redevelopment and job creation.

The agreement, signed by Governor Pete Wilson on April 9, 1998, and announced today by DTSC Director Jesse R. Huff, is the first of its kind at a closing military base in California. The agreement deferral request by the United States Air Force is the result of legislation which allows the federal government to transfer property that still has hazardous substance contamination to a non-federal entity, as long as certain conditions are met and the governor of the state concurs. The transfer has also been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The 25-acre parcel is located in the main base area at Mather Field and includes the former base exchange building (which is now subleased by the county to McGraw-Hill, Incorporated) and a bank building recently demolished by the county. The rest of the parcel is vacant.

"This agreement demonstrates the Wilson Administration's commitment to advance the military base re-use process," said Peter M. Rooney, California Secretary for Environmental Protection. "This process allows us to move property quickly into the Sacramento economy while ensuring proper environmental clean-up."

Mather Field, located south of Highway 50 at Mather Field road in the Rancho Cordova area of Sacramento, closed in September 1993. The base is one of 29 military facilities to close or go through major realignment in California since 1988, when the first round of base closures was announced.

"This early transfer of the land to Sacramento County is another important step in the transition of Mather Field from military to civilian use," said Supervisor Don Nottoli. "The utilization of this parcel for commercial and business development is expected to bring more economic development and job creation to the Mather complex."

The transfer is expected to assist Sacramento County in implementing changes needed to help transition the base from military to civilian use. The use of the parcel as a commercial and business center is expected to spur economic development and job creation.

The parcel no longer contains subsurface or surface contamination. However, it does overlay a section of the Main Base/Strategic Air command ground water plume of chlorinated solvents (trichloroethane, perchloroethylene, and carbon tetrachloride).

Soil contamination was discovered during the excavation of an underground storage tank. The contamination was cleaned up under the jurisdiction of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), which issued a clean closure letter in June 1997. The remainder of the property has never been designated as a hazardous substances release site.

A separate land use agreement between Sacramento County, DTSC and CVRWQCB will be signed after the deed to the parcel is transferred to the county. The agreement provides for enforcement of the deed restrictions which prevents the placement of wells and use of groundwater, as well as any interference with future groundwater cleanup.

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1998 Releases | Archived Press Releases