State Launches Inquiry Into Explosives Plant Cleanup

State investigators have launched a criminal inquiry into the cleanup of toxic pollution at the former Bermite military explosives plant in Santa Clarita, officials said Monday.

Armed with search warrants, investigators from the state Environmental Protection Agency two weeks ago seized records at the West Los Angeles headquarters of Whittaker Corp., parent company of Bermite and owner of the 976-acre site where a multimillion-dollar cleanup is under way.

Investigators also searched records of two environmental engineering firms involved in the Bermite cleanup, Whittaker Vice President Edward R. Muller said.

Muller said he did not know the reason for the inquiry and investigators declined comment. Officials said the warrant and other documents related to the search are under court seal.

Whittaker, an aerospace firm, issued a written statement Monday disclosing the existence of the investigation. The company said it was “unaware of any criminal violations involving waste disposal practices at this or any other Whittaker site.”

But as a publicly traded company, Muller said, Whittaker felt compelled to reveal the investigation to stockholders and potential investors. Muller said the firm had sought an explanation for the investigation, but state officials “have said they’re not in a position to respond yet.”

Nancy Long, staff attorney for the state EPA’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, declined to discuss the investigation. But a source familiar with the inquiry said it involves the cleanup activities rather than the pollution that led to the cleanup.

Investigators with the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office assisted the state EPA in the June 9 seizure of records at Whittaker’s offices. But district attorney’s officials also declined to discuss the case.

Whittaker has nearly finished cleaning up soil laced with toxic solvents and heavy metals at 14 waste disposal and chemical storage areas on the Bermite property on Soledad Canyon Road.

Bermite began making explosives there in 1906, and later manufactured decoy flares and rocket motors for the military. During 80 years of operation, dozens of workers were injured or killed in fires and explosions. After the plant shut down in 1987, Whittaker began cleaning up soil with an eye toward converting the site to a huge residential and retail complex.

The company has leased 10 acres of the tract to Santa Clarita for a commuter rail station. The City Council is expected tonight to seek bids for construction of the station, and city officials said the inquiry is unlikely to change their plans.

“We’re charging along on it,” said Tony Nisich, Santa Clarita city engineer. Tests showed the 10 acres were clean, and Whittaker would be held responsible if any Bermite-related pollution is discovered in the future, Nisich said.

Staff writer Tracey Kaplan contributed to this report.