Regarding the issue of the Santa Maria landfill accepting tainted, oil-impacted soil, it was noted in today's issue (August 25th) of the Santa Maria Times that, "Before accepting any tainted soil, the city received the proper approval from the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, and the county." This information was noted by city Utilities Director Dwayne Chisam and city solid waste and utilities engineer John Zhao.
QUESTION: What about "proper approval" from the citizens of Santa Maria? Why didn't our city council -- the people we elected to represent us -- tell us this was happening? Why weren't we at least given a chance to be informed and have some input?
The Times notes that, "Santa Maria held a public hearing July 20 that included the question of accepting tainted soil from the Guadalupe Dunes . . . ."
The Times further notes that, "The City Council adopted the second supplemental E I R after receiving no public testimony." (emphasis added)
QUESTION: Where was the public notice of this July 20th meeting? How can there be "public testimony" if there's no public notice?
Zhao notes, "To accept the additional soil from the dunes cleanup, the city is not required to hold public hearings, but public notification is required at the excavation site." (emphasis added)
So I guess we're all supposed to swing by Starbucks, pick up a cup of coffee, and drive out to the Guadalupe Dunes to be informed citizens.
One Tin Soldier
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