Press launch from the Metropolis of Martinez:

MARTINEZ, CA — The Metropolis of Martinez Metropolis Council and workers are actively monitoring the suggestions from Contra Costa Well being (CC Well being) following the discharge of spent catalyst on the Martinez Refining Firm (MRC) in November. CC Well being issued a well being advisory on March 7, 2023, informing space residents to not devour fruits or greens grown in soil uncovered to substances launched final November till soil testing is full and the outcomes have been obtained and evaluated. To keep away from potential issues, County Well being officers really helpful native gardeners substitute the highest 12 inches of uncovered soil previous to rising crops for consumption.

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“The Metropolis of Martinez helps Contra Costa Well being in responding to and investigating this occasion,” stated Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn. “Whereas we acknowledge that the County’s suggestion to not devour gadgets grown in our personal again yards is out of an abundance of warning, we’re taking measures that may assist advocate for the well being of our residents.”

“We all know how annoyed our neighborhood is with this incident and its impacts. I’ve personally communicated our issues with the County, in addition to MRC’s administration staff,” she stated. MRC knowledgeable the Metropolis {that a} claims line has been established to deal with issues of these impacted by the discharge final November (800-542-7113). For residents changing soil in keeping with CC Well being steerage, the Metropolis recommends protecting documentation of all expenditures to submit with their declare.

Metropolis Actions: Ongoing Communication and Compost Giveaway

The Metropolis will proceed to maintain the neighborhood knowledgeable about MRC’s actions by internet hosting neighborhood conferences as wanted, sending frequent community-wide informational emails, and offering updates in any respect Council conferences. Residents are inspired to join the Metropolis’s e-newsletter right here. As well as, the Metropolis of Martinez is serving on the County’s MRC Oversight Committee, together with six Martinez residents, which can oversee the work of impartial consultants charged with conducting soil sampling and a neighborhood threat evaluation. The Metropolis posts details about the incident and any updates on its web site right here.

The Metropolis urges MRC to extend its communications and outreach with residents within the Metropolis and the County. “Our high precedence is to work with CC Well being and MRC to make sure residents are higher knowledgeable because the incident investigation continues,” the Mayor stated.

Additional, the Metropolis is working with Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Workplace to develop use of the County-wide “Group Warning System” within the coming weeks. The purpose of that is to offer broader neighborhood notifications, together with by way of textual content message, when lower-level incidents happen that would influence neighborhood security. Group members are inspired to enroll now so they are going to start receiving elevated notifications from the Metropolis as quickly as this system goes reside. Go to http://cwsalerts.com/registration to enroll.

The Metropolis of Martinez is partnering with Republic Companies to host a free compost giveaway on Saturday, March twenty fifth from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Martinez Marina. The Metropolis has confirmed that the compost is often sampled for contaminants per State tips and is licensed to be used. To this point, roughly 130 residents have pre-registered to obtain compost. In response to a neighborhood want, Republic Companies has agreed to reopen registration to permit for added registrations. Anybody with a Martinez 94553 handle is eligible to take part. Registrants should deliver an ID, a shovel, containers, gloves, and put on closed-toe footwear. For extra particulars and to register, go right here.

This press launch was produced by the Metropolis of Martinez. The views expressed listed below are the creator’s personal.