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Audit Results are In
I reviewed the California State Auditor's report auditing
the California
Integrated Waste Management
Board (CIWMB) on the 176 active solid
waste landfills. If you wish to view the
DECEMBER 11, 2000 REPORT #2000-109
on the web
Some of the highlights are as follows:
1. The state auditors estimate that California has sufficient
landfill capacity for about 47 years instead of the 15 years
identified by local governments.
2. Since 1995, the CIWMB was between one month and four years
late in performing inspections at 132 of the 176 landfills and
only ONE monetary penalty has been assessed in the past TEN
years! Further, as of August 31, 2000, local enforcement
agencies issued 64 enforcement orders to 47 landfill operators
and their analysis shows that for 43 of these enforcement
orders, the operators have not complied by the deadlines and are
overdue from 114 to 2,710 days.
3. The CIWMB is allowing landfill operators to delay closure for
extended periods. As a result, they are bypassing federal and
state closure regulations established to address the fact that
landfills not property closed could threaten public heath and
the environment. Among several conclusions and recommendations,
the Auditor recommended that CIWMB explore its options for
taking into account the necessity for increased landfill
capacity as a factor in granting permits.
Further, that CIWMB discontinue the use of its 1994 policy of
concurring with permit revisions for landfills that have had
long-term violations of state minimum standards. The CIWMB
should suspend its 1990 policy of allowing operators to violate
the terms and conditions of their permits while seeking approval
for permit revisions.
Finally, on page 34 of the report, it is stated to date, BFI has
not submitted
to the local enforcement agency or to the CIWMB, an
application for a solid
waste facilities permit for the city expansion" of
Sunshine Canyon Landfill.
I suggest you visit the
above website or write to the California State Auditor,
Bureau of State Audits, 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 300,
Sacramento, CA 95814 for
five free copies.
Submitted by Sal Sciortino, NVC Member
The Audit was finally released on Dec. 11. And was published
on the front
page of the Daily News on Dec. 12. It is about 49 pages in
length and is very much in
our favor.
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