By Town Crier Staff Report

The Los Altos-based Midpeninsula Open Space District will join the toxic cleanup efforts planned for Moffett Federal Airfield, the U.S. Department of the Navy announced last week.

The Navy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board last week withdrew a proposed plan that would clean up a portion of property they own at Moffett Field, called Site 25, after discovering that the Open Space District is also a property owner.

The Navy is scheduled to meet with the open space district and review the cleanup plan. The Navy will present any changes to the public for more review.

The cleanup plan, which was recently presented to the public for comment, included the removal and off-site disposal of the top foot of sediment located in the contaminated area near the Eastern Diked Marsh and storm water retention pond.

The cleanup area receives runoff from approximately one-square mile of a predominantly paved industrial area.

Contamination of the site occurred prior to 1991.

A copy of the documents is available for review at the Mountain View Public Library, located at 585 Franklin St.