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Report on the State Senate Select Committee on Urban Landfills
Nearly
50 North Valley Coalition members attended the informational
panel discussion between the senators, State Auditor Elaine
Howle, various recycling experts, residents fighting dumps,
enforcement agencies, Integrated Waste Management, and County
Sanitation. From
the senate, Gloria Romero chaired the panel which also included
Richard Alarcon, Nell Soto, and Byron Sher (who was not
present).
The
discussion focused on the State Audit of Integrated Waste
Management which was completed in December 2000. The audit
proved we were right in our belief that there was ‘limited
authority and weak oversight which diminished the ability to
protect public health and the environment’.
We are
encouraged by the agreement of all of the senators, the
recycling groups, and most of the enforcement agencies that
urban landfills do not belong in residential neighborhoods and
that there are serious issues that need to be resolved and
alternatives to be implemented. We look forward to all of them (
Los Angeles City Mayor Jim Hahn, all of the County Supervisors,
and the State Senators) working together
to solve our landfill problem. Thanks to all of you who
sent representatives on your behalf.
These
discussions will continue in various communities around the
state until this problem is resolved. The next scheduled meeting
is in Hacienda Heights on September 19th, 2001.
We REALLY
wish to thank all of our neighbors and coalition members who got
up and took the bus downtown. Public support shows everybody how
important this issue is to the Valley. We thank you very much.
And of course, if anyone wishes to go to the September 19, 2001st
meeting, we could rent another bus!
NEXT
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