Tell the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect San Diego County's drinking water
BackgroundThe San Luis Rey River and its aquifer are threatened by the Gregory Canyon Landfill. This critical drinking water source faces pollution by toxic chemicals that could leach from the proposed 300-acre landfill.
Although the project has been in the works for over two decades, it has yet to obtain any of the required permits. Last year, thanks to your action, the regional water board postponed its decision on that permit.
Now, the landfill is seeking a permit under the federal Clean Water Act from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is seeking input on the type of environmental review to give the project. We need to make sure the Corps takes a hard look at this flawed project, and evaluates a broad range of alternatives.
Action Requested
Please tell the Army Corps to protect the San Luis Rey River, uphold the Clean Water Act, and ensure clean drinking water for the San Diego region. Send an email to the address in the sample letter (or mail a hard copy). Deadline is June 18, 2010.
Dear Dr. MacNeil:
I am deeply concerned about the proposed 300-acre Gregory Canyon Landfill, which would be built right on the banks of the San Luis Rey River. This project is a serious risk to the region's drinking water supplies, which must be protected at all costs.
In applying for the federal Clean Water Act permit needed to start construction, the landfill's proponents first tried to use an abbreviated "nationwide permit" to avoid meaningful environmental review. The Army Corps has correctly abandoned that streamlined process and committed to conduct a full and comprehensive environmental review.
I commend the Army Corps for taking a hard look at this flawed project. However, this review will only be meaningful if it includes a broad range of alternatives to managing San Diego County's waste, such as increasing waste diversion and recycling, and using existing landfill space more efficiently. These alternatives would have far less impact on the environment, and would more effectively address San Diego County's waste issues, than building a new landfill on the banks of a river.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Sincerely,
Although the project has been in the works for over two decades, it has yet to obtain any of the required permits. Last year, thanks to your action, the regional water board postponed its decision on that permit.
Now, the landfill is seeking a permit under the federal Clean Water Act from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is seeking input on the type of environmental review to give the project. We need to make sure the Corps takes a hard look at this flawed project, and evaluates a broad range of alternatives.
Action Requested
Please tell the Army Corps to protect the San Luis Rey River, uphold the Clean Water Act, and ensure clean drinking water for the San Diego region. Send an email to the address in the sample letter (or mail a hard copy). Deadline is June 18, 2010.
Sample Letter
June 4, 2010
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Division, Ventura Field Office
ATTN: CESPL-RG-N-2010-00354-SDM
RE: Gregory Canyon Landfill ProjectDear Dr. MacNeil:
I am deeply concerned about the proposed 300-acre Gregory Canyon Landfill, which would be built right on the banks of the San Luis Rey River. This project is a serious risk to the region's drinking water supplies, which must be protected at all costs.
In applying for the federal Clean Water Act permit needed to start construction, the landfill's proponents first tried to use an abbreviated "nationwide permit" to avoid meaningful environmental review. The Army Corps has correctly abandoned that streamlined process and committed to conduct a full and comprehensive environmental review.
I commend the Army Corps for taking a hard look at this flawed project. However, this review will only be meaningful if it includes a broad range of alternatives to managing San Diego County's waste, such as increasing waste diversion and recycling, and using existing landfill space more efficiently. These alternatives would have far less impact on the environment, and would more effectively address San Diego County's waste issues, than building a new landfill on the banks of a river.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Sincerely,
___________
Thank you for taking action
No comments:
Post a Comment