Illegal Dumping Enforcement Task Force

Minutes: March 29, 2006

I. Member Reception

The Illegal Dumping Enforcement Task Force (IDETF) members spent the initial part of the meeting getting acquainted, followed by a presentation by Lisa Brown, Assistant Counsel for Enforcement, Cal/EPA. Ms. Brown discussed the local and state codes and regulations that are the legal basis for illegal dumping enforcement actions. California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) Member Rosalie Mulé also attended the reception.

II. IDETF Meeting

Attending Members

Wendy Breckon
Kit Cole
Brigitta Corsello
Gale Filter
Neal Fujita
John Gregory
Gary Harris
Karen Keene
John Key
Stanton Lange
James Lawrence
Jennifer Lewis
Damian Meins
Sarah Mora
Richard Owings (for John Abernathy)
John Ramirez
Scott Smithline
Larry Sweetser
Margie Young

CIWMB Staff Attending

Howard Levenson
Wes Minderman
Ken Stuart
Scott Walker

Absent

Ben Gale
Marlene Mariani
George Valdes

1. Ken Stuart, IDETF Coordinator, discussed the task force charges and processes. The specific charges to the task force are to assess the extent of the illegal dumping problem and develop recommendations to the CIWMB to enhance the effectiveness of local and state responses to the problem. A list of recommendations on illegal dumping issues will be developed during the first two meetings of the IDETF, followed by a two to three month break during which the issues will be discussed with local illegal dumping groups and local government agencies. One or two more IDETF meetings will be held after the break, and the final recommendations to the CIWMB Board will be developed at the meetings. CIWMB staff will then write the final report to the Board, and IDETF members will review and comment on the report before it is sent to the Board. The recommendations will address all aspects of the illegal dumping problem, not just those which the Board regulates.
2. Staff reviewed the components of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency illegal dumping prevention program. The IDETF will concentrate on the targeted enforcement component, although the other components, including community outreach and involvement, can be included in the Board report. The four components will be used as the structural basis for the Board report.
3. Staff reviewed the multiplicity of city, county and state agencies that are involved in illegal dumping abatement and prevention, and the variety of organizational structures delivering local programs. Howard Levenson, Deputy Director of the CIWMB Permitting and Enforcement Division, discussed the Solid Waste Disposal Site Cleanup Program, the Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program, and the Waste Tire Grant Program.
4. One of the charges to the CIWMB staff will be to develop and conduct a survey of local jurisdictions to assess the extent and cost of the illegal dumping problem. Karen Keene (California State Association of Counties), Jennifer Lewis (League of Cities) and Brigitta Corsello (County Engineers Association of California) agreed to work with CIWMB staff on this project.
5. The CIWMB is developing an illegal dumping website, and IDETF members were asked to consider items that should be included on the website.
6. Staff provided the IDETF members with an initial list of 22 discussion issues that had been identified from input to the staff at meetings and via correspondence. The items were briefly explained by staff, and the IDETF then discussed the items. Gale Filter, California Association of District Attorneys, recommended that the final report concentrate on the three most critical issues that will make a difference to the prevention of illegal dumping. A list of the initial issues and the IDETF discussions are included in Attachment 1.
7. The IDETF discussed additional issues that might be included in the discussion list. These issues included:
   1. Farm grant program–The issue of the property owner having to work the grant through a government agency rather than applying for the grant directly makes the grant process longer and less friendly.
   2. Staffing problems in rural counties results in limited enforcement.
   3. Illegal street vendors in the Los Angeles area (and other areas) contribute to the illegal dumping problem.
   4. Several local entities utilize the Keiter Plan to quickly recover liens on property for the cost of illegal dumping abatement.
   5. A charge for grocery bags should be considered.
   6. Changes in the CIWMB and Department of Toxic Substances Control regulations relative to solid waste disposal occur at a rapid pace and are not clear.
   7. Utilization of additional pre-disposal fees may not be desirable.
8. Staff reviewed the proposed work schedule, with a December 2006 date for submitting the report to the Board.
9. The homework identified for the IDETF members included (1) identification of local illegal dumping task forces or groups that can be added to the advisory list; (2) identification of additional issues or recommendations to be considered by the group; and (3) comments on items or services that should be included in the website.

III. Next Meeting

The next IDETF meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Training Room 1 (East/West) of the Cal/EPA Building.

IV. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

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Last updated: April 18, 2008