Many concerns have been voiced about the news of the EPA setting up a three-month “hazardous waste” site to consolidate and manage the materials from the Palisades Fire. In fact, there was a protest about it: yesterday’s March to Save the Sea, which took place on the Santa Monica Pier. The RCDSMM, or, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, issued a statement which, in part, reads:
As a local agency facilitating resource protection and public connections with the environment in the Santa Monica Mountains, the RCDSMM has concerns regarding the chosen site and would have preferred a different location. Critical habitat for the endangered steelhead trout and tidewater goby is located directly adjacent to the motel site within Topanga Creek and Lagoon and is at risk if contaminated materials are inadvertently spread into these areas. Adjacent beaches and near-shore areas located just downstream could also be harmed, degrading recreation uses and unique fish and wildlife habitats.
Located at the mouth of Topanga Canyon near Topanga Lagoon, the site is one of ecological sensitivity and cultural significance. The lagoon itself is slated to undergo restoration in the near future.
Debate presses on, with organizations such as Heal the Bay decrying the project, arguing they were not consulted, and that such toxic materials, left exposed, could well seep into the soil and the ocean. Others counter that the waste pile had to go somewhere, and any decision would necessarily be controversial. See the bullet points of Heal the Bay’s meeting with the EPA. Somewhat unsettlingly, the EPA’s own FAQ for this issue returns a “Cannot Find The Page You’re Looking For.”
The EPA has also announced it will use the parking lot of Will Rogers State Beach as a staging area for removal of fire debris. Councilwoman Traci Park is against this proposal.
Related: Oceanographers are now studying the impact of the toxic ash on marine life.
For those wishing to make their voice heard, here are the relevant contacts for EPA representatives and other organizations:
EPA INCIDENT MANAGER:
Steve Calanog, Calanog.steve@epa.gov
EPA Representative:
Rusty Harris-Bishop, harris-bishop.rusty@epa.gov
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works:
Mark Pestrella, mpestrella@dpw.lacounty.gov
California Dept of Parks and Recreation Director
Armando Quintero, Armando.Quintero@parks.ca.gov
Maria Chong Castillo, MCCastillo@bos.lacounty.gov
Dylan Sittig, LA County, Dsittig@bos.lacounty.gov
Ben Allen, Senator.Allen@senate.CA.gov
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath , ThirdDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
Congressman Brad Sherman, Mail@bradsherman.com
Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin, Assemblymember.irwin@assembly.ca.gov
Governor Gavin Newson, Gavin.newsom@gov.ca.gov
Newsom Chief of Staff:
Ann O’Leary, Ann.oleary@gov.ca.gov