I contacted the Marin County Hazardous Materials Division who took down the complaint, then referred me to the designated City of Novato stormwater person, who promised to call the appropriate emergency crews and check on the site. The next day, because of the imminent rain storm predicted, I decided to make a quick visit the Hamilton site to see if everything had been removed. The containers and spill site are on City of Novato property, but there was some discussion as to who actually holds the responsibility for clean up and removal. If so, it is their responsibility to determine the disposition, handling and removal of potentially hazardous substances from the former military base property. Otherwise the City of Novato must address the situation and take responsibility as the property owners.
Phone calls to the local watchdog group and Sacramento ensued.
While the area impacted by the stored drums and spill site is not large, it is still potentially very dangerous to humans and the environment. At the very least, the items should be temporarily moved father away from the creek, placed upon material that can contain any leaking fluids, create a safe containment area preventing contact with humans and animals, and label the site as a hazardous area. It probably would be safer and easier just to remove everything immediately, off the premises, including any contaminated soil. Neighbors downstream of former Hamilton Air Force Base and current Redevelopment area complain of degraded conditions in creeks, ponds, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and ultimately San Pablo Bay. It remains unclear as to how much, if any, water quality testing is being done by Marin County, the City of Novato, and military or government agencies regarding the health and possible contamination of the waterways and wildlife habitat areas.