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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
STEPHEN JOHNSON, OPERATIONS MANAGER
SALINAS VALLEY SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY
755-1300
Initial Landfill Expansion Site Tours Completed
June 3, 2005
The Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA) has completed the initial
site investigation of the possible landfill expansion sites of the properties
located in Long Valley along Hwy. 198 in the Southeast corner of Monterey
County.
Authority staff and their technical experts performed engineering, ecologic,
hydrogeologic, biological and cultural investigations to analyze if any
or all of the proposed sites are suitable to construct a landfill.
The Phase II Landfill Siting Preliminary Report, which summarizes the
findings of the initial investigation, was scheduled to be presented at
the Authority Board of Directors meeting in June.
In spite of all the efforts to meet this timeline the complete report
will not be ready to be presented on the originally scheduled date. Completion
of the report is currently dependent upon receiving responses from state
and federal regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
California Department of Fish & Game, CalTrans, and the Native American
Heritage Commission.
The Authority’s consultants are conferring with these agencies regarding
sensitive plants and wildlife, traffic, and potentially sensitive Native
American cultural sites. The Authority staff will continue to work closely
with the project’s team of technical experts to ensure completion
of the report as promptly as possible and anticipates the report to be
presented at the July 21st Board meeting.
While the first phase of the site analysis has been completed, a specific
work program will be developed and presented to the landowners regarding
all upcoming geological testing. A map of the proposed test sites will
also be included in the July report to the Board.
According to Stephen Johnson, general manager for the Authority, “It
is important to note that the Authority has neither identified a single
site, nor has it established a site of preference for the potential landfill
expansion. The Authority and the board have acted in what they feel is
in the best interest of the residents of the Salinas Valley and will continue
to work diligently to arrive at a project that they believe is fair and
just.”
One of the most important reasons for the formation of the Authority in
1997 was to provide for 70 years of solid waste disposal for the Authority’s
member agencies within its jurisdictional area in a manner and location
that protects public health and safety.
This process to find additional landfill space began in 2003 with the
approval of the initial Regional Solid Waste Facilities Expansion Project.
At that time, the Board directed the Authority staff to provide analysis
of potential new landfill capacity in Monterey County as well as study
other effective solid waste disposal alternatives, like the option of
shipping Salinas Valley waste to the Monterey Regional Waste Management
District in Marina, waste to energy and other solid waste processing technologies.
The Authority and its nine-member Board of Directors have spent a multitude
of hours dealing with the potential expansion of its existing landfill
facilities and it recognizes the importance of this decision to the local
community. That is why they want to make sure the public has a full understanding
of their mission and what the Authority has been doing as it relates to
the Landfill Siting Study. If you have questions regarding this project,
please contact the Authority office at 755-1300.
The Authority, formed in 1997, is a joint powers agency made up of
the cities of Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Salinas, Soledad as well
as the eastern half of unincorporated Monterey County. They promote the
environmental health of the Salinas Valley through planning, public education
and management of an innovative solid waste system. The Authority can
be reached at 755-1300 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday or
on the web at www.svswa.org.
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