Local residents in Altadena on Monday told Pasadena Now that the Army Corps of Engineers, local residents living near the Altadena Golf Course are worried that an operation to place hazardous materials at the Altadena Golf Course could recontaminate their homes and put their families’ health and safety at risk.
On Monday, the Army Corps of Engineers began transporting burn debris to the former Altadena Town & Country Club Golf Course which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire in January.
The property is staging for the temporary storage of hazardous materials collected from the Eaton fire burn footprint. Staging areas have also been established in Duarte and Farnsworth Park in Altadena.
“All of the reasons given for why this is a good idea are anecdotal, and not data driven, and when the data is asked for to support this notion,” said George Gund.
Residents have expressed concerns over noise and air quality issues as crews work to transfer the debris, crush concrete and recycle metal on the Altadena golf course.
According to fact sheet released by the Army Corps, ash and contaminated soil, asbestos-containing materials, municipal solid waste (household garbage) and tires and electronic waste will not be taken to the golf course.
“This site will be used to process clean concrete, metals and plant material, such as burned trees, from fire-impacted properties to allow for recycling of these materials rather than taking them to local landfills.”
The two sides were supposed to meet last week, but the army canceled the meeting.
“We’re upset because we don’t have transparency, we don’t have accountability and we don’t have safety,” Gund said.
According to the Army Corps, nearby neighbors will be safe and the air quality will be monitored consistently.
Efforts reportedly will be made to keep noise to minimum comparable to “loud traffic,” or “80-90 decibels.”
As the operation began on Monday, residents continued to voice their disapproval.
“If you cared, you wouldn’t do this to us,” an angry community member who lost her home in the fire yelled.
Altadena residents are not the only ones unhappy about debris removal plans.
Dozens of people in Duarte protested the EPA’s use of Lario Park as a collection site for debris from the Eaton Fire.
“We don’t think it’s a good idea to bring the toxic waste all the way over here,” said Jackie Rittenhouse, at one meeting in February.
Topanga residents protested in January over an EPA staging site designated for sorting and packaging hazardous waste from the Palisades Fire.
“Those of us with properties in [Altadena] are in limbo as a result of this operation,” said Gund. “Many of us are afraid to remediate for fear that this endeavor will re-contaminate our homes and put our families health and safety at risk. All of the reasons given for why this is a good idea are anecdotal, and not data driven, and when the data is asked for to support this notion, it is not provided.”
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