To the Editor:
Dear Members of the Fillmore Community,
I am writing to give you an update on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR’s) work at the Pacific Coast Pipeline Site. ATSDR’s goal is to protect the health of the people of Fillmore. To do this, ATSDR is investigating the possibility that contact with soil from the site could contribute to human health effects. Contact with soil from the site may occur by:
• Breathing dust in the air or;
• Direct contact with the soil after proposed redevelopment is finished.
We are focused on these health issues because community members voiced concerns about them and because data exists to study them.
We visited Fillmore twice in early 2013 and met with a local youth group, the Mayor, the city planning office, the county health department, and others. We also toured the site with the Chevron project manager. At that time we heard from community members and city staff and leaders about their health concerns, and their concerns about Chevron’s proposed redevelopment plans.
Since 2013 we have met with the EPA project manager to learn about the soil cleanup process. We requested, received, and reviewed data from EPA and Chevron about soil and air contamination at the site. We have reviewed air monitoring methods and soil cleanup techniques put in place by Chevron and overseen by EPA. We have reviewed the current draft of Chevron’s redevelopment plans for the site.
The ATSDR project team has written a draft report that our agency will release for public comment. This report is now going through an established, thorough internal review process with ATSDR technical experts and leadership. This review process ensures that we use the best science to draw conclusions about the potential health risks at the site and that our recommendations will help protect the health of the community.
We know that Fillmore community members are eager to hear about ATSDR’s findings. While we cannot say exactly when the draft report will be available, we look forward to sharing it with members of the Fillmore community. In addition to the draft report, we will publish a fact sheet that summarizes the key points and we will hold a public meeting in Fillmore to present our findings and answer questions. There will also be an opportunity to provide written comments and feedback during the report’s public comment period. When the report is released we will be happy to meet with interested community groups and leaders (for example, the Fillmore Works Community Focus Group, One Step a la Vez, and elected officials).
Thank you for your patience as we complete our draft report. If you have questions about our work, please contact Ben Gerhardstein (bgerhardstein@cdc.gov and 415.947.4316) or Jamie Rayman (jrayman@cdc.gov and 415.947.4318).
If you have immediate concerns about outdoor dust or odors from the site, please contact the Chevron Project Manager (661-632-1408) or the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (805-654-2797).
Best regards,
CAPT Robert B. Knowles, M.S., REHS
Regional Director
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Region 9

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To the Editor:
Girl Members and Adult Volunteers Alike Benefit
For many, a sit-upon, a round of Make New Friends, or fly-up wings may not carry any meaning, but to thousands of girls who are now adults throughout the central coast, these prompts bring back warm, fun memories more valuable than silver and gold as the song goes.
And, so it goes… another school year begins and with it brings another need or opportunity for a mom, a dad, a guardian, a grandma, orthose with special skills to raise their hand to become a Girl Scout volunteer. The benefits are tremendously fulfilling to both girls and those who volunteer.
How else does a girl have access to fun adventures like learning about robotics, Being A Friend First to prevent bullying, or spending a weekend of outdoor orienteering, and so much more?
At Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, we serve over 10,000 girls from Ventura County to Santa Cruz County. We want to reach more girls than ever before, but in order to do that, we need more volunteers.
Girl Scouts is making the world a better place while making a lasting impression in the lives of both its volunteers and girls members. Demonstrating this, recent Girl Scout research shows that 94 percent of Girl Scout volunteers and 97 percent of girl members believe Girl Scouts provides them with new, fun and exciting experiences.
Locally, our volunteers had this to say about what excited them about becoming a Girl Scout leader: “I had an opportunity to not only be a positive influence on my daughter and other girls in the troop, but that I could be an intimate part of watching them grow as leaders and amazing young women.” “I like outdoors and teaching [girls] self-sufficiency.” “Bringing the program to my daughter, who’s not into sports, gave her an activity that would help her grow as a person.”
It’s easy to register, training is provided, and we have girls waiting...ready to explore in a judgment-free space that is cooperative and encouraging. And, so it goes…that we again ask our communities to support girls and help them explore, imagine, and be amazing. To join or volunteer, please visitwww.girlscouts.org/join.
Karen Skole
Chief Operating Officer
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast