The State - News from June 24, 1988

Cleanup of toxic selenium contamination at the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge almost certainly will not be completed by the Aug. 31 deadline set by the state Water Resources Control Board. That became clear as state and federal experts met in Sacramento to discuss interim steps to protect wildlife from deadly selenium exposure while a workable cleanup plan is developed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The discussions took place during yet another state board hearing on the complex issue. The bureau, which operates the San Joaquin Valley refuge, says its original plan to scrape up tons of contaminated soil and bury it in a toxic waste dump will not work. Federal authorities are asking the state board to extend the deadline.