01-04-2000 - December 15, 1999 Department of Toxic Substances Control - BKK Class I Landfill Postclosure Permit Public HearingCity of West Covina
• Memorandum
. ;
AGENDA
TO: City Manager and City Council ITEM. NO. D-1
DATE January 4, 2000
FROM: Steven L. Sainamego ® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Environmental Management Director
SUBJECT: December 15, 1999 .Department of Toxic Substances Control
BKK Class I Landfill Postclosure Permit Public Hearing
SUMMARY: The Waste Management and Environmental Quality Commission is
recommending that the City send a letter to DTSC expressing our
dissatisfaction, with their poor notification, lack of information on the
public hearing and to request for another public hearing.
BACKGROUND:
November 1999 DTSC published in the San. Gabriel Valley Tribune, a public hearing notice
for the 90-day public review and comment period for the BKK Class I Landfill Postclosure
Permit. The Postclosure Permit establishes the: criteria and standards on how BKK will
maintain and monitor the Landfill's environmental control systems throughout postclosure.
In DTSC's public notice of the comment: period, it also mentioned that a public hearing
would be held in West Covina on December 15, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. The public attendance at
the. public hearing was low. The majority of,the`citizens in attendance complained that
DTSC did not provide adequate and proper notification to the community and requested for
another public hearing.,
DISCUSSION:
DTSC notified the community of the public hearing by placing one notice in the San Gabriel
Valley Tribune, and also mailed 1000 notices to residents that lived near the Landfill. In
addition to DTSC's notification, the Environmental Management Department published the
notice in the Discover West Covina, West Covina cable TV, West Covina's web page, West
Covina Weekly and mailed.Royall Brown (citizen) 50 notices for distribution.
At the public hearing DTSC gave a very brief overview of the postclosure permit and then
received public comments. DTSC did not respond to any comments, they will respond to all
comments at the end of the commentperiod.
The following is a brief summary of the public comments.,
■ Timing of public hearing during holidays Health study needed
was bad choice
■ Map on contaminated groundwater No roads through landfill
migration is inaccurate and misleading
■ Concern on high cancer around La Seda Leac hate water poor for irrigation
School
■ Inadequate notification Contaminated groundwater migration
under Class III Landfill
■ Landscaping Another hearing wanted
■ All clay cover poor for vegetation Extend comment period to April
growth
■ Lack of cable -cast
After the public hearing DTSC mentioned that they would consider holding a public
workshop in West Covina but would have to get the Department's approval.
l
At the December Waste Management and Environmental Quality Commission meeting,
there wasconsiderable discussion from the Commissioners and the public about DTSC's
poor notification, .lack of information, and the need for another public hearing. As a result
of the discussion, the Commission requested staff to recommend that the City Council send
a letter to DTSC requesting foranother public hearing because of their poor notification. .
Staff confirmed with DTSC on December 29, 1999 that they will be having a public
workshop`" on January 24, 2000. The workshop will be held in the City Hall, Council
Chambers from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. .
FISCAL IMPACT: .
No fiscal impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
a. The,Waste Management and Environmental Quality Commission recommends_ that
Ahe..City send a letter to DTSC asking for another public hearing because of their
poor notification and lack of information.
OR
b. ` Authorize the Waste Management and Environmental Quality Commission to send a
letter- to -DTSC while Staff drafts City's comments on the proposed postclosure
permit:
OR .
c. Receive and file, since DTSC is responding to the community's concern by holding
a public workshop in January.
Steven L. Samaniego
Environmental Management' Director
SLS:lsd