Toxic Waste Cleanup Begins Near Central Jail
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the start of an emergency hazardous waste cleanup operation at a defunct electroplating shop across the street from the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.
In response to an EPA order, the Margaret F. Jones Trust and the Moeller Trust, owners of the property at 496 Bauchet St., agreed to undertake the cleanup, EPA officials said. The estimated cost is $440,000.
“This case should put owners of commercial and industrial property on notice that they can be held financially responsible for cleanup of toxic wastes on their property--even if the wastes were left by another party who leased the property,” said Jeff Zelikson, director of EPA’s regional Hazardous Waste Management Division.
Van Der Horst Corp. of America leased the property and operated the electroplating shop there from 1960 until 1987, then abandoned the site in 1989, he said. Van Der Horst, which purportedly left behind 150 containers of wastes, can also be held financially responsible for the cleanup, Zelikson said.
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