Supervisor Marr advocates for SB 37 to strengthen contaminated site safety regulations

San Francisco County officials are taking significant steps to enhance public health and environmental safety by supporting a new state bill aimed at regulating construction on contaminated sites. During a recent Land Use Committee meeting, Supervisor Marr introduced a resolution endorsing Senate Bill 37, known as the Contaminated Site Cleanup and Safety Act, authored by Senator David Cortese. This legislation seeks to prohibit the use of common sense exemptions for redevelopment projects located on the Cortesi list, a catalog of sites with known hazardous materials.

The Cortesi list, established over three decades ago, includes more than 2,000 sites in San Francisco alone, many of which are now being eyed for new housing developments. Supervisor Marr emphasized the importance of this bill, stating that it would close loopholes that allow local agencies to bypass necessary environmental reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This is particularly crucial given recent instances where exemptions were granted despite ongoing contamination, such as at a site on Green Street where soil samples revealed dangerously high levels of benzene.

Ryan Mickle, a legislative aide to Senator Cortese, echoed these concerns, highlighting the risks posed to both community members and construction workers when projects proceed without adequate oversight. He noted that the current system places the burden of ensuring safety on residents rather than local government, which can lead to severe health risks.

Lisa Gibson, the Environmental Review Officer for San Francisco, raised concerns about potential unintended consequences of SB 37, suggesting that while the bill aims to protect public health, it may also create challenges for development in the city. The committee is now considering the resolution, which aims to reaffirm the role of CEQA in overseeing the cleanup of contaminated sites and ensuring public accountability.

As the city grapples with the balance between development and safety, the outcomes of this resolution could have lasting implications for San Francisco's approach to managing contaminated properties and protecting its residents. The committee's discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need for stringent environmental oversight, particularly in neighborhoods historically burdened by pollution.