April 28, 2025
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee
1020 N Street, Room 171
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for Assembly Bill 1102 – Identifying Contaminated Sites Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise and Groundwater Rise
Dear Assemblymember Connolly and Assemblymember Ellis:
The Peninsula Accountability for Contamination Team (PACT) writes to express our support for Assembly Bill 1102, which requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the State Water Resources Control Board to submit a report to the Legislature identifying contaminated sites that are vulnerable to sea level rise and groundwater rise by January 1, 2027.
PACT’s mission is to advocate alongside community members to advance contaminated site clean-up and infrastructure resilience, addressing the impacts of sea level and groundwater rise in low-lying areas of San Mateo County and beyond. Through this work, we aim to safeguard the health and well-being of our community for generations to come. PACT member organizations include Climate Resilient Communities, Nuestra Casa, Youth United for Community Action, Belle Haven Empowered, and the Belle Haven Community Development Fund. PACT was launched in December 2023 after we learned of groundwater rise risks to contaminated sites as a result of research by and partnerships with local climate scientists and policy advocates (e.g. SFEI & Pathways Climate Institute; Dr. Kristina Hill, SPUR).
As California faces growing threats from climate change, including rising sea levels and a rising water table, we must understand how these changes impact legacy pollution and public health. Contaminated sites located in low-lying coastal communities pose an escalating risk of releasing hazardous substances in the face of groundwater and sea level rise. Without a comprehensive assessment, the state, local jurisdictions, contaminated site owners, and developers cannot adequately plan for or mitigate threats.
PACT is hopeful that AB 1102 will be a valuable first step toward protecting vulnerable communities from contaminant mobilization and exposure due to sea level rise and groundwater rise. We would like to see this report made accessible to community members impacted by groundwater rise and contaminant mobilization. By requiring state agencies to report on where these vulnerable sites are and the status of their vulnerability assessments, this bill lays the foundation for responsible parties to advance mitigation actions to prevent future contamination and ensure the safety of California’s communities, particularly those already overburdened by environmental injustices. PACT thanks you for your leadership on this issue and urges the Legislature to pass AB 1102.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Adams
PACT Member | Signing for PACT
Environmental Justice Program Director | Nuestra Casa