San Onofre Old Man's Parking Lot Damage
Diane Edmonds
San Onofre Old Man's Parking Lot Damage. Mid Tide, parking lot collapse after heavy rains
The LA28 Organizing Committee’s recent decision to host the 2028 Olympic surfing competition at Lower Trestles, a renowned surf break located next to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, has sparked intense public concern. Critics say the venue’s proximity to a high-level radioactive waste storage facility raises serious safety and environmental red flags.
Radioactive Waste Stored Just Yards from the Surf Zone
Just steps from where Olympic athletes are expected to compete, 3.6 million pounds of high-level radioactive waste are stored in thin-walled, welded stainless steel canisters. These canisters sit only a few feet above the water table, raising questions about their long-term safety and environmental impact.
“These canisters were never designed for long-term storage,” said Nadia Khawja, Environmental Justice Programs Director at the Samuel Lawrence Foundation. “They cannot be opened, inspected, or repaired once sealed.”
Surf Zone Beside Nuclear Waste Storage
Diane Edmonds
San Onofre beach at low tide, just steps from where Olympic surfers will compete in 2028—beside 3.6 million pounds of radioactive waste stored in thin-walled canisters
Surf Zone Beside Nuclear Waste Storage
Diane Edmonds
San Onofre beach at low tide, just steps from where Olympic surfers will compete in 2028—beside 3.6 million pounds of radioactive waste stored in thin-walled canisters
Environmental Threats Amplify Concerns
In addition to the questionable design of the storage containers, the site is exposed to a range of environmental hazards, including sea-level rise, seismic activity, and coastal erosion. Khawja noted that no permanent disposal solution exists for the waste and that the area lacks an emergency evacuation plan, factors she says should disqualify the site from hosting any large-scale public event.
Concrete Monoliths Hide Nuclear Waste
Diane Edmonds
Concrete structures at San Onofre hold canisters of high-level radioactive waste. Critics warn these thin-walled containers are unsafe for long-term coastal storage.
Concrete Monoliths Hide Nuclear Waste
Diane Edmonds
Concrete structures at San Onofre hold canisters of high-level radioactive waste. Critics warn these thin-walled containers are unsafe for long-term coastal storage.
A Dangerous Prcedent for Public Safety
Critics argue that by selecting Lower Trestles, the LA28 committee is not only ignoring the dangers but also normalizing them. Holding an international event so close to a nuclear waste site could lead to a public perception that the risks are negligible or managed, despite evidence to the contrary.
“This decision prioritizes spectacle over safety,” said one local resident. “It sends the wrong message to the world.”
Calls for Venue Reconsideration Grow Louder
Environmental organizations and local community members are calling on the LA28 Organizing Committee to reconsider the venue. They argue that the potential health risks to athletes, spectators, and nearby residents are too great to justify the location.
With the 2028 Olympics fast approaching, pressure is mounting for organizers to address the growing controversy and select an alternative site that ensures the safety and well-being of all involved.
