The long running legal saga over toxics cleanup of a former San Francisco naval base and Superfund site set for private mixed-use redevelopment has gained new complexities in recent weeks as consultant Tetra Tech EC on Nov. 17 sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Navy in federal district court, claiming the firm is not liable for expected costs to redo all of its previous site environmental analysis and remediation stemming from controversial test results in some areas. The firm challenges the agencies’ lack of evidence.
The U.S. Justice Dept. estimates those costs related to the former 400-acre Hunters Point site are $100 million and possibly more, said the Tetra Tech suit. An earlier government action against the consultant seeks triple damages and civil penalties, alleging the firm submitted false claims to the Navy for payment under $261 million in contracts for radiological testing and remediation between 2006 and 2012.