Toxic Dump Rebuffs Curtailment Order

Operators of the controversial Casmalia Resources toxic waste dump served notice Wednesday that until they get legal advice they will ignore a demand by Santa Barbara County supervisors to immediately curtail liquid hazardous waste operations.

“I think we will just be operating normally until our legal counsel instructs us otherwise,” Casmalia spokeswoman Jan Lackenmaier said. “It’s not a foregone conclusion that we will cease to use these ponds.”

Lackenmaier said that a partial shutdown would have a “tremendous impact” on Southern California generators of oil field and light industrial toxic wastes who would be forced to go elsewhere.

Health Problems Alleged

Following repeated complaints by area residents of odors from the dump that they associated with health problems, the supervisors voted 5 to 0 on Tuesday to demand that the dump immediately shut down five ponds used to store the offending liquid wastes, as well as any other ponds that may contribute to the odors. Liquid acid and alkaline wastes would not be affected by the board’s action.

The county had threatened to file suit unless the dump complies. But, Santa Barbara County Counsel Kenneth Nelson said Wednesday that as a practical matter the dump has until Friday.

“It will be a decision by the board, but my guess is if they (Casmalia Resources) stop by Friday, that they would be deemed to be in compliance,” Nelson said.

He noted that supervisors are scheduled to meet Monday. “We will evaluate what’s been done. We’ll evaluate what the situation is and give advice to the board as to whether the district attorney should file suit,” Nelson said.