California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Panel Hears About Presidio Problems

A congressional committee heard about antiquated electrical systems, faulty sewage lines and toxic waste on Monday as local residents discussed the Presidio military base becoming a national park. “We need to make the investment in this place now,” said Brian O’Neill, superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreational Area. Recent environmental reports indicate that utility and water systems at the base are inadequate, and that maintenance of the roads and structures has been neglected. Unresolved in the transfer is whether the military will pay for correcting the identified problems, or the park service will simply inherit them in 1995 when the transfer is made.