The proposal by the City of Glendale to expand the Scholl Canyon Dump represents a serious attack on the quality of life in Eagle Rock and beyond. It represents the worst kind of attack, an attack that is invisible with the potential to compromise the health of residents for years to come. 

 

In the June / July period of 2014 TERA became aware of a Draft Environmental Report (DEIR), developed on behalf of the City of Glendale, in which a proposal was put forth to increase the height of the dump by 180 feet (17 stories) and the life of the dump by more than 35 years, or at least into the next generation. It quickly became apparent that the existing dump, which is not used by the City of Los Angeles, has been impacting the air quality in our community for many years. The proposal to extend the life and capacity of the dump would further exacerbate the problem far into the future. In the initial response to this quality of life issue, in August 2014, TERA partnered with CD14 to sponsor a press conference announcing our opposition to the planned expansion. A broad array of community organizations were invited to participate in this event. TERA also developed a formal comprehensive response to the DEIR, which may be viewed at www.tera90041.org/scholl_canyon.aspx   Formal opposition to the expansion plan was also sent by Councilmember Jose Huizar. The City of Pasadena submitted a very comprehensive response to the DEIR, articulating a broad array of concerns. Glendale residents have weighed in with sharp criticism of their city's proposal showing that the existing dump has decades of capacity even without expansion, and arguing for their city to not forsake, but to follow its own stated commitments to reduce dumping and pollution. To date there has been little response from the City of Glendale regarding the many concerns made in the DEIR responses. 

 

Subsequent to the initial recognition of the impacts of the dump expansion, further study has uncovered many other reasons for concern. Particularly noteworthy are the conclusions reached by two experts. Clarence A. Hall, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Geology, UCLA, a registered state geologist serving on the Board of Professional Geologist provided a comprehensive review of the proposed expansion with special attention to a potential earthquake related disaster. Given that the plan is to raise the height of the dump by approximately 17 stories, and the proximity of the dump to two faults (San Andreas Fault to the north and the Santa Monica-Hollywood-Raymond Fault to the south), a major quake could release contaminants into groundwater. The potential for debris to careen down the hillside is not mentioned in Mr. Hall's examination but is also a reasonable concern.

 

Another expert, Jamshid Hassandazeh, Ph.D. and researcher at the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, strongly endorsed Dr. Hall's critique of the plan. Dr. Hassandazeh expressed further concern regarding the potential for groundwater contamination. A liner is typically required at the base of a dump when there is the potential for toxic fluids over time to leach into the soil. Scholl Canyon has no liner based on the premise that it is located above an area of solid granite. Not true! Studies have shown that the dump is actually located above an area of fissured / crushed granite which is highly permeable and would allow contaminants to drain into the soil and potentially into Glendale groundwater supplies.

 

TERA has joined a coalition of concerned groups organized under the leadership of Hans Johnson, President of the East Area Progressive Democrats. TERA welcomes the chance to coalesce with others to speak in a louder voice. Once the DEIR is approved by the City of Glendale, it is highly likely that the dump will be expanded with all the negative consequences. The City of Glendale may move on approving the DEIR in the near future. You can make a difference. Time is of the essence. Take a few minutes of your time now to express your opposition to the dump expansion by sending emails or letters of concern to Glendale City Leadership. Please send a copy of your communication to president@TERA90041.org. Suggested text for the letter and contact information is as follows. Act now; soon it may be too late for us to make a difference. 

 

 

Contact information for Glendale City leadership is as follows: