Riverbank residents living near 6145 and 6129 Claus Road have been given a community survey regarding an environmental cleanup project. The Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) purchased the property in 2020 and is working with the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) to remove the toxic soil from the site.

The letter noted in the site description that, “the site is approximately 4.65 acres and has been vacant since Feb. 2, 2022. Based on historical aerial photographs from 1937 through 2016, the site included an orchard, two residential structures, and eight small structures, including a detached garage, storage sheds, and chicken coops. As per the aerial photographs, the orchards located at the northeast and southwest portions of the site have been removed. Additionally, the site had two water wells, and several pole-mounted transformers.”

RUSD Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Rudy Serrato explained that approximately 335 cubic yards will be removed during the proposed cleanup project, called the Removal Action Workplan.

Serrato said, “Testing was conducted and there were three contaminants found on the property around where the houses once stood. Lead from lead-based paint that was once on the house. Chlordane is an organochlorine compound that was used as a pesticide for termite-treatment up to 1988. Heptachlor Epoxide was used as a pesticide against termite-treatment up to 1988.”

The residents that received the survey are being asked to return the questionnaire by Friday, March 10.