CARLSBAD, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District today released the Gregory Canyon Landfill draft Environmental Impact Statement for public comment. A public meeting is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2013. Comments are due by Feb. 12, 2013.
(A copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available click here)
The National Environmental Policy Act requires the Corps to compare the applicant’s proposed action to off-site alternatives. The Corps then determines whether to issue the permit as submitted, issue the permit with conditions, or deny the permit.
There are five alternatives that identify potential landfill sites other than Gregory Canyon and one alternative that identifies no federal action.
The five off-site alternatives are Gopher Canyon, Merriam Mountain, Aspen Road, Sycamore Canyon and East Otay Mesa. The Gopher Canyon, Aspen Road and Merriam Mountain sites are alternatives because they were identified as potential landfill sites by San Diego County years ago. There is no plan or proposal to locate a landfill at Gopher Canyon, Aspen Road or Merriam Mountain.
Sycamore Canyon Landfill is an existing landfill proposed for expansion. The Corps has been working with Sycamore Canyon regarding the expansion of that site.
The Corps has not received an application for the proposed East Otay Mesa Landfill; however, there have been pre-application meetings with the applicant.
In addition to the NEPA analysis, the Corps is required under the Clean Water Act to assess public interest factors as well as examine cost, logistics and technology. This analysis will be provided in the final Environmental Impact Statement. In the 404(b)(1) analysis, the Corps considers such public interest factors as conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shore erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and needs and welfare of the people.
(Additonal information from San Diego County page click here
And documents including the EIR)
Comments should be submitted via email to gregorycanyonEIS-SPL@usace.army.mil or via mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division, Carlsbad Field Office, Attention: Gregory Canyon, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 105, Carlsbad, CA 92011.