Dumping of asphalt grindings

Location: 39616 Old Hwy 80, Boulevard, CA 91905, EE. UU.

Category: Solid Waste

Description:

A contractor for CalTrans is currently dumping what appears to be thousands of tons of asphalt grindings, from I-8 resurfacing projects, onto private and commercial properties in our groundwater dependent communities of Boulevard and Jacumba, in eastern San Diego County within the boundaries of RWQCB 7. The grindings are dumped and spread around, 2 feet thick in some places, including right next to the Clover Flat School at 39639 Old Highway 80 Boulevard, with no ground prep and no compression or sealing of the materials. One commercial property at 39335 Old Highway 80, Boulevard, they dumped the grindings on top of several existing trash piles. Several people have contacted me with concerns over the potential for air and groundwater contamination from this unsealed material. CalTrans Engineer Carl Savage reportedly told the RWQCB in La Quinta that their contract transfers ownership of the grindings to the contractor. I had provided this linked study regarding potential toxic leachate including polycyclic hydrocarbons and lead: http://www.ucanr.edu/sites/forestry/files/168246.pdf Mr Savage reportedly said they don't use the binders noted in the study. However, we don't know what binders are used and what potential threat they may pose to air and water quality. Any suggestions on who to contact and how to secure an independent chemical analysis to see what is in the material and whether or not the material is safe and the current dumping is considered legal "recycling". Tons and tons of grindings are being dumped everyday now. We are 100% reliant on groundwater, mostly through private wells, with no economically feasible alternative. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated. ADMIN: The DTSC Imperial CUPA has forwarded this complaint to San Diego County CUPA.