Conditions Governing Access
Historical Note
Scope and Contents
Preferred Citation
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room
Title: Sacramento Toxics Alliance Research Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MC 37
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
(5 Archival Boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1981-2012
Abstract: The records in this research collection document the operations of toxics groups and remediation projects in the Sacramento
area from the early-1980s through the early-2000s.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Historical Note
The Sacramento Toxics Alliance incorporated in 1984 as a citizens group concerned with the cleanup of hazardous waste at Sacramento
sites. The group worked with the City of Sacramento Toxic Substances Commission to address numerous remediation cases over
the years, including those at McClellan Air Force Base, and the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Railyards.
The City of Sacramento Toxic Substances Commission, which formed shortly after the Toxics Alliance, began with eleven commissioners
and advised Sacramento City Council on key issues related to toxics analysis and remediation.
McClellan Air Force Base was listed on the National Priorities List as a Superfund site in July 1987, and the McClellan Groundwater
Task Force formed in August 1983 by Rep. Robert Matsui in order to "coordinate and oversee the cleanup of contaminated hazardous
waste disposal sites and groundwater both on and off base." It was comprised of members of the Air Force, state regulatory
agencies and the City and County of Sacramento. The McClellan Restoration Advisory Board formed later and provided a public
forum for community members, installations and regulatory agencies to work together on McClellan environmental programs.
The Union Pacific Railyards was an 80-acre site located off Sutterville Road, east of Hwy 99. It was a former railroad maintenance
and switching yard from 1909-1983. After its closure, a group formed to address problems from past industrial activity, including
groundwater contamination and air particulates. By 1989, the California Department of Health Services oversaw the investigation
of soil contamination at the site.
And the Southern Pacific Railyards, located at 501 Jibboom Street, became the focal point for remediation efforts in the decades
to come.
Scope and Contents
This collection is comprised of records and research gathered by the Sacramento Toxics Alliance regarding several toxic remediation
projects in the Sacramento area. The collection is organized into the following series: Series I. City of Sacramento Toxic
Substances Commission (1985-1987), Series II. Union Pacific Railyards (1980-2010, bulk 1986-1994), Series III. McClellan Air
Force Base (1983-2012, bulk 2002-2003), Series IV. Southern Pacific Railyards (1988-1993), and Series V. Other Projects (1985-1988).
Records within each series are organized chronologically and include meeting minutes of toxics groups, newsletters, environmental
reports, correspondence with government agencies, and some news clippings.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Sacramento Toxics Alliance research collection, MC 37, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library,
Sacramento, California.