By: Katja Irvin
I’m proud to say I worked with the local Hollister advocacy group Don’t Dump on San Benito to halt a major expansion of the John Smith Road Landfill. The project proposed to expand the landfill from 95 to 483 acres, to increase the allowed height from 920 to 949 feet, and to increase the daily tonnage limit from 1,000 to 2,300 tons per day. 90% of the waste would be imported from outside of San Benito County.
Here’s what happened:
- On January 31, the San Benito County Planning Commission voted to deny the Use Permit for the landfill expansion, to not certify the Environmental Impact Report, and to recommend the Board of Supervisors deny the General Plan Amendment.
- On February 7, the Planning Commission approved a resolution finding that “the revenue and other project benefits do not outweigh the significant and unavoidable impacts to the environment analyzed in the [EIR] related to the emissions of greenhouse gasses and cumulative air quality …”, among other findings.
- On February 9, the applicant (Waste Solutions Group of San Benito County) filed an appeal of the Planning Commission decision. A Board of Supervisor’s hearing was scheduled for March 26.
- On March 21, the applicant withdrew their appeal without stating any reasons.
This is a testament to the efforts of local advocates – they used every tool in the book! Every public meeting had dozens speaking against the project. It was very clear this project would have major negative impacts on the community. It would be difficult for the Board of Supervisors to overlook public opinion and decide in favor of a major corporation from Texas. The votes weren’t there.
Don’t Dump on San Benito is inspired by this victory and will continue to advocate for environmental and social justice in their community. Join the Loma Prieta Chapter as we continue to support them. Contact Katja Irvin (grg.conservation@sierraclub.lomaprieta.org) for more information.