Four California municipalities—Azusa, Irwindale, Baldwin Park, and Duarte—issued a forceful joint statement Monday condemning the lack of prior consultation about the project’s potential impact on their residents.
“The Cities of Azusa, Irwindale, Baldwin Park, and Duarte (Cities) did not receive advanced notification nor were given an opportunity to express concerns regarding the cities’ close proximity to the site, and the potential negative effects this could have on its communities,” the cities said in a statement Monday.
The cities formally oppose both the Lario Park operation and any other sites they believe could negatively affect their communities.
The federal agency announced its decision on January 23 to commence operations at the site likely next week.
Under EPA oversight, all operations at the collection and processing site will include comprehensive safety protocols, including plastic-lined processing zones, continuous air quality monitoring, and regular dust suppression measures using water trucks.
The operational framework, to be entirely overseen by the EPA, calls for daily processing of materials into designated waste streams, with items packaged for shipment and proper disposal.
Transportation logistics deliberately route collection vehicles along backroads to avoid Interstate 210, while requiring Department of Transportation-approved trucks to use the quickest authorized paths to disposal facilities.
In addressing broader regional implications, municipal leaders emphasized both cooperation and criticism: “While the Cities are completely in solidarity with our neighboring communities, we are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA’s clean up efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards.”
The coalition of cities announced plans to pursue formal opposition channels while mobilizing for the site’s closure. Officials are coordinating with Senator Rubio’s office to organize a community forum in Duarte to address resident concerns.
Local authorities have established two channels for public input: residents may contact either the Duarte City Manager’s Office at (626) 357-7931 or the USEPA directly at 1-833-798-7372.