El Dorado County officials cover up hazardous waste

El Dorado County has a serious contamination issue which County officials, to date, have been ignoring and denying. The contamination is in the pathway of a road being planned for a future retail strip mall.

There is a Grand Jury report on the illegal grading that may have released these contaminants. Two major concerns are:

1) The County continues to buy properties that have been contaminated, and

2) The County does not think it is their responsibility to notify adjacent property owners of the contamination.

Please watch this video:

https://youtu.be/N8xZzzT0eMw

If you are outraged by this video and the County’s negligence, take action and visit this website: www.edcTotalRecall.org

Documentation and Timeline

The Diamond Springs Parkway project is a connector road between Missouri Flat Road and Highway 49

Diamond Parkway map — Site Map – Click to enlarge

Diamond Springs Parkway project Vicinity Map. Click to enlarge.

The County’s 2010 insufficient environmental document for the Diamond Springs Parkway project:

Diamond Springs_DEIR_for hazardous waste — In the impact and mitigation statement prepared by Michael Brandman Associates, it is stated that bulldozing a road for the Diamond Springs connector would release and expose hazardous materials which would be reduced to less than significant impact without providing a means to mitigate.

In 2010, the public challenged the County’s insufficient mitigation in the Draft Environmental Impact Report:

Mike Speegle Hazardous DEIR Response — Mike Speegle’s response to the Draft Environmental Impact Report. Click for full document.

In 2011, property adjacent to the Diamond Springs Parkway project was illegally graded, as reported in the 2013-2014 El Dorado County Grand Jury Report:

EDC Grand Jury Report Toxic Pollution 2013-2014 with BOS responses — 2013-2014 El Dorado County Grand Jury Report: Toxic Pollution Spread by Illegal Grading on Diamond Dorado, with Board of Supervisor responses. By allowing illegal grading to move forward, those hazards were not properly dealt with as required, therefore exposing the public to hazardous material. Click to read full report.

In 2012, Fish & Game sent a letter of violation to the District Attorney’s Office:

DFG Violation Notice to DA 7-27-12 — Attachment to Grand Jury Report, Department of Fish & Game letter to District Attorney’s Office 7-27-12. Click for full letter.

In 2013, Fish & Game sent a letter of violation to Mr. Lindeman, the property owner:

DFG Lindeman Notice of Violation 3-6-13 — Attachment to Grand Jury Report, Department of Fish & Game letter to Mr. Lindeman regarding violation, 3-6-13. Click for full letter.

April 8, 2015 notes by Cheryl Bly-Chester regarding El Dorado County Environmental Management Department sent to Board of Supervisors on April 9, 2015:

Cheryl Bly-Chester notes to BOS 4-9-15 — April 8, 2015 notes by Cheryl Bly-Chester regarding El Dorado County Environmental Management Department sent to Board of Supervisors on April 9, 2015. Click to read complete notes.

On January 18, 2016, Curtiss Weidmer, former El Dorado County Health Officer and Director of Health Services, sent a letter to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and District Attorney:

Result of pH samplings submitted to Board of Supervisors during Open Forum of January 26, 2016 meeting:

FINAL Sampling Document1-15-16 — Result of pH sampling submitted to Board of Supervisors January 26, 2016. Click on image for full report.

Chart of pH Scale:

ph-scale — Chart of pH Scale. Click to enlarge.

Lime Plant diagram — The hazardous waste adjacent to the bike and walking trail has the same pH as Drano

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