Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

Officials from Air Force’s Real Property Agency and Office of Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health assured Cardoza that Merced County residents will be kept apprised of the situation and invited the congressman’s office to monitor the investigation. A preliminary examination of the potentially toxic area at Castle is expected within the next two weeks, and, if necessary, a more detailed analysis will be conducted within 120 days.

"Based on the information received in this initial briefing, there is certainly no reason to panic," Cardoza said. "But we will closely monitor the investigation and keep the community informed as more details become available."

Although additional tests will be conducted, there have been no specific determinations of any toxic materials beyond those that were disclosed years ago. Air Force officials reiterated today that they have already spent $132 million cleaning up Castle since 1991 and that remediation efforts actually date back to 1980.

"I’m heartened to know that the Pentagon is taking this seriously," Cardoza said. "I look forward to working closely with the Air Force to reach definitive answers. We will get to the bottom of this."