EXIDE VERNON UPDATE: Communities tell DTSC their concerns about agency’s continued “poor outreach” to citizens about Exide lead smelter
“There’s a long history of injustice in this whole Exide issue,†Mark Lopez, of East Yard Communities told EGP. “There is a continuance of frustration over the inclusion of the community and the inadequate outreach by DTSC.â€
EGPNEWS.COM
Communities Near Exide Put DTSC on Notice
Only a few dozen people showed up last week for a meeting billed as a chance for residents to learn more about the process to clean up contamination at the shuttered Exide plant in Vernon, prompting several people to again criticize the Department of Toxic Substance Control for its “poor outreach.â€
The low-turnout is just another example of DTSC’s failure to keep residents informed about the hazardous waste polluter, several speakers complained.
“There’s a long history of injustice in this whole Exide issue,†Mark Lopez, of East Yard Communities told EGP. “There is a continuance of frustration over the inclusion of the community and the inadequate outreach by DTSC.â€
Excide Technologies, a lead-acid battery recycler and smelter, was forced to close down in order to avoid federal charges related to its long history of hazardous waste violations. They have been fined millions of dollars to pay costs associated with the clean up of toxic chemicals at their Vernon plant and contaminated properties in surrounding communities.
Before that process starts, however, DTSC must prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) to identify the potential impacts and mitigations expected to take place during the closure process.
Last week’s scoping meeting was a chance for residents in Maywood and other communities to tell state regulators what they want included in the report.
However, it’s the middle of graduation season and Bell Gardens High School, where many local families send their children to school, has their graduation ceremony tonight, so they are not here, Lopez pointed out.
“This could have easily been avoided had [DTSC] done their research on the community,†he said. “It’s DTSC’s job, they have the staff for outreach.â€
It should not be so hard for people to get their voices heard, echoed Jessica Prieto of East Los Angeles.
According to DTSC, the agency has held six meetings in Boyle Heights and Maywood since Exide was closed.
Most people at the meeting are already informed and involved, and regularly attend meetings on Exide, said frustrated residents, accusing DTSC of not doing enough to reach out to the people who don’t already attend meetings.
“It seems like you are just going through the motions,†said Aide Castro, a Maywood business owner and aid to Assemblyman Anthony Rendon.
She wanted to know why local business owners like her, and the nearly 40 members of the new Advisory Board overseeing the plant closure were not notified about the meeting.
“I didn’t say anything [before the meeting] on purpose, to see if you would send it,†she said. “If we’re not receiving a flyer it’s hard to phantom the community outreach is being done effectively.â€
According to DTSC, however, board members were given a list of meeting dates during their first meeting on May 28 and the scoping meeting was discussed in depth during the June 11 advisory group meeting. DTSC spokeswoman Tamma Adadamek told EGP the agency enlists the help of members of the Community Advisory Group to share information discussed at our monthly meetings.
Site Project Manager Su Patel said DTSC mailed the meeting notice to 2,700 area residents and that hundreds of others on the agency’s email blast received an electronic notice.
That’s why it’s always the same people attending the meeting, complained Maywood Councilman Oscar Magaña, That number is much too low given that as many as 375,000 people live in Boyle Heights, Commerce, East Los Angeles, Maywood, Huntington Park and Vernon.
“I’m sure you’ve heard enough from these people,†he told regulators; you have to do something different. “The schools are usually a great place to pass out information around,†Magaña said.
But in addition to mailing out and emailing information according to DTSC, representatives have called and visited the homes of dozens and dozens of residents in the area. Adamek added that the agency regularly updates their website with new information about the Exide cleanup and closure.
The agency also holds a conference call every two weeks with community leaders to share information on the project, she added.
Boyle Heights resident Doelorez Mejia attends nearly every meeting related to Exide. She said holding the meeting in the southeast city of Maywood shows DTSC is starting to listen to the community, but pushed the agency to do much outreach.
“Put yourself on the agenda of the local school districts,†she suggested.
Magaña also recommended DTSC reach out to environmental justice groups, especially those already involved with the fight against Exide.
“Those people have experience canvassing, I bet you they would be more than willing to help,†he said, prompting applause from the audience.
Many of the people living in the neighborhoods and cities surrounding Exide are undocumented and fear retribution if they speak out, said Lopez, who is community co-chair of the Exide Advisory Board. He believes some people fear they will be forced to move if DTSC or other agencies get wind that they live in homes with unpermitted improvements, such as converted garages.
“This has led everyday residents and organizations to step in and fill the role of organizing the community,†he added. “There have been some improvements by DTSC, but a lot of that has been a result of pressure from the community.â€
In an email to EGP DTSC officials said all the comments and questions raised by the community are being considered.
“We are happy to have suggestions on how to better reach the community. We want them to be informed about the closure, and they know best how they can be reached,†said Adamek.
Residents have until June 29 to submit comments regarding the Notice of Preparation. They will get a second chance when the DEIR is presented sometime in September, as well as have a chance to comment on the closure plan once it is approved.
The agency said the first phase of closure will take between 19 to 22 months and will include removing equipment and contaminated soil and demolishing buildings “down to dirt.†That phase is expected to take place sometime in Spring 2016.
