Sludge Watch ==> Calif: Kern County Officials Evaluate Fly Ash Clean Up Efforts

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

http://www.bakersfieldonline.us/news/read/2/79255

Kern County Officials Evaluate Fly Ash Clean-Up Efforts  By: Bill Curtis
6:23 AM Wednesday, May 31st, 2006

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On Wednesday evening, Senator Dean Florez, D-Shafter, will hold a hearing in 
Wasco to update the community on efforts to dispose of a hazardous substance 
known as “fly ash” which was trucked into the community for years by the 
City of Oxnard and spread on Kern County fields.




Since 1995, the City of Oxnard and USA Transport have had an agreement to 
dispose of sewage sludge on 1,240 acres of land near Wasco. The sludge was 
mixed with fly ash, which was touted as a “treatment” for sludge until early 
this year, when the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) informed 
Kern County officials, Oxnard and USA Transport that the material was in 
fact a hazardous substance which must be disposed of accordingly.



The City of Oxnard stated that it “fully intends to satisfy its 
responsibilities as a property.” However, they have since asked DTSC to 
retest the fly ash and declined to participate in Wednesday’s hearing on the 
issue. The City of Oxnard is required to truck the fly ash away by June 27 
or face fines of $3,000 per day.



Panelists will include representatives of the Kern County agencies charged 
with resource management, environmental health, and engineering and survey 
services in the community, as well as Kern County Supervisor Ray Watson, who 
represents the Fourth District.



Wednesday’s hearing will be held from 5-7 p.m. in the Wasco City Council 
Chambers, located at 746 8th Street in Wasco.