Background
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in the southeastern portion of the City and County of San Francisco, California. The site operated as a shipyard from 1939 to 1974 and housed the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) from 1946 to 1969. The Navy’s activities contaminated shipyard soil and groundwater, as well as surface water and sediment in the San Francisco Bay. Contaminants include petroleum fuels, pesticides, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and radionuclides. Native soil at the site contains naturally occurring asbestos and metals. Ongoing efforts include cleanup, operation and maintenance activities, and continuous monitoring.
The Navy is the lead agency responsible for the investigation and cleanup of the HPNS site. The U.S. EPA and its California state regulatory partners oversee and enforce Navy cleanup activities. The HPNS Superfund site does not include Parcel A, which was historically used for residential and administrative purposes.
The HPNS site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1989. The NPL is the priority list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial investigation and cleanup funding under the federal Superfund program.
Learn more about the Navy's cleanup activities.
Agencies Involved in the Cleanup
Multiple state and federal agencies are involved in overseeing the cleanup efforts at the Shipyard. The San Francisco Department of Public Health continues to participate in the cleanup process to ensure the ongoing protection of the health and wellbeing of the Bayview-Hunters Point community. Refer to the list below for additional details about the individual agencies involved.
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA is the lead federal regulatory agency responsible for overseeing the Navy’s investigation and cleanup of the Shipyard. In November 2020, the EPA stated that Parcel A is suitable for residential use in a memorandum (see here).
- U.S. Navy (Navy): The Navy is the lead agency responsible for the investigation and cleanup of the Shipyard. The Navy is obligated through a Conveyance Agreement to collaborate with the City on sharing information and updates on the cleanup status at the site.
- California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC): The DTSC is the lead state regulatory agency at the Shipyard. DTSC’s mission is to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances.
- San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board (SF-RWQCB): The SF-RWQCB is one of nine regional boards under the State Water Resources Control Board in California. The SF-RWQCB is responsible for protecting water quality within the San Francisco Bay, including Hunters Point.
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH): The CDPH is the state department responsible for public health in California. CDPH’s mission is to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. In response to public concern, and at the request of the U.S. EPA, Navy, DTSC, and the City, CDPH conducted a radiological survey to assess the health and safety of the public and the environment at Parcel A of the Shipyard.
- San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH): The SFDPH is the local agency responsible for protecting the health and well-being of all San Franciscans, including residents of the Bayview-Hunters Point. SFDPH has an interdisciplinary team of environmental, medical, and public health experts dedicated to monitoring cleanup progress and communicating with the community.
- Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII): The OCII is a state-authorized local entity serving as the successor to the former San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. The state has authorized OCII to continue to implement three major redevelopment projects within the City, including redevelopment at the Shipyard.