Wednesday, Jun 22 2011 8:25AM
A dump site in Coachella Valley is one of a few factors causing health and environmental issues, a report says.
California lawmakers were taken on a tour of Coachella Valley in June by community activists, Bloomberg Businessweek reports, who showed legislators first-hand numerous health hazards that exist for residents living in the area due to extensive waste and inferior housing.
The tour occurred after the state temporarily shut down the Western Environmental soil recycling plant in the valley due to nauseating smells and a hearing in the town of Thermal regarding environmental safety and toxins.
State Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski, along with other legislators and regulatory officials, were shown five sites in the valley, including the recycling facility, a dump site and trailer parks where migrant workers live, all of which are causing environmental and health issues.
"We need a lot more people at the table and a lot more resources [to improve conditions in the valley]," Megan Beaman, an attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance, told the news source. "We are looking at this as an opportunity to create a model of enforcement ... that will carry on to other places in our community and around the state."
The Western Recycling plant was reportedly shut down after a dozen school children in the area were sickened because of emissions from the facility.