2 Lawmakers Oppose Landfill Initiative

Two state lawmakers have taken a position against the Weldon Canyon landfill initiative on the March 26 ballot, saying that it circumvents local regulatory and rate controls.

State Sen. Jack O’Connell (D-San Luis Obispo) and Assemblyman Brooks Firestone (R-Santa Ynez) said they oppose Measure T, which would allow for building a 551-acre landfill in a rugged canyon north of Ventura.

Taconic Resources, a San Diego investment firm, wants to build the dump to take care of the west county’s trash needs after Bailard Landfill in Oxnard closes this summer.

In a press statement declaring his opposition, O’Connell said the landfill initiative would exempt the dump’s operator from local oversight and rate controls.

O’Connell added that while new recycling programs and technologies have not eliminated the need for trash dumps, they “certainly reduce the necessity for creation of large, costly and environmentally questionable landfills.”

Firestone took a similar stance.

“It just makes no sense to create a brand new landfill when there are others already available, and everyday new and better ways to recycle waste are being developed,” he said.

Chris Westphal, a member of Citizens Against Measure T, said he was pleased the two legislators had come out against the initiative.

“It’s a demonstration of the strength of our position,” he said. Westphal’s group has said the west county could ship its trash cheaper to other existing landfills, including one in Simi Valley.

Meanwhile, Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez and Councilman Andres Herrera have also announced their opposition to Measure T.