Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Charges are being brought against Luther Sherman Akers, the property manager for the former Cambria Air Force Station site. Akers is being charged with illegal disposal of asbestos and two other misdemeanor land use violations. Property owner Bernd Schaefers does not face charges of asbestos violations however is being charged with two misdemeanors involving improper use of coastal land.

 

The former Cambria Air Force Station is located thirty miles north of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. The base operated from the 1940’s to 1980, when it was closed and later bought in 2004 by Schaefers. Schaefers originally invited students from Cal Poly onto the property and invited their input on possible ways to use the land and renovate the old buildings. However, the county public health official soon after closed the station to the public citing many health hazards and deeming the property unsafe.

 

During the time of operation of the base, it was standard practice to use asbestos containing materials in construction, and especially on military, naval and air bases.  However, since the mid 1980's  federal and state agencies have regulated the use, removal and disposal of asbestos as it can cause serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

 

Akers is being accused of improper asbestos removal and disposal during renovations. A U.S. Environmental Protection agency investigation verified that materials containing asbestos were indeed being illegally removed on site. The outcomes of the charges are yet to be decided.