San Francisco leaders demand Navy accountability for Hunters Point shipyard cleanup

The San Francisco County Board of Supervisors convened on July 4, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding the cleanup of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, a Superfund site. The meeting commenced with a notable absence, as representatives from the U.S. Navy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declined to attend, prompting concerns from local officials about accountability and transparency in the cleanup process.

District 10 Supervisor Walton emphasized that the primary goal remains a complete cleanup of the shipyard before any land transfer to the city. Walton outlined the steps taken by his office, including establishing a resident group to engage with the Navy on cleanup plans and demanding an independent review of testing protocols. Despite these efforts, the Navy has resisted calls for additional testing on Parcel A, where concerns about contamination persist.

The meeting featured a report from civil grand jurors Sarah Miles and Jeff Weitzel, who highlighted the risks posed by rising groundwater levels due to climate change. They presented maps indicating that rising groundwater could compromise infrastructure and expose buried contaminants. The grand jury recommended that the city invest in a groundwater rise study to better understand these risks, a suggestion that the mayor's office has not adopted.

Dr. Susan Phillips from the San Francisco Department of Public Health reiterated the department's limited role in the cleanup process, stating that the Navy is the lead agency responsible for remediation. She acknowledged the importance of addressing climate change impacts, particularly groundwater rise, but noted that the existing regulatory framework allows for periodic reviews of the cleanup efforts.

Director Phil Kozlovski from the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure provided an overview of the agency's role in the redevelopment of the shipyard, emphasizing ongoing collaboration with developers and community engagement. He read a statement from the Navy, which defended its cleanup efforts and asserted that it has accounted for future sea level rise in its remediation strategies.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from city officials to enhance communication with the community regarding the cleanup process and to ensure that the health and safety of residents remain a priority. The next five-year review of the cleanup efforts is scheduled for 2023, which will include evaluations of the potential impacts of climate change on the site.

Overall, the discussions underscored the ongoing challenges and complexities of managing the cleanup of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, particularly in light of environmental concerns and the need for federal accountability.