People continue to dump trash, concrete and brick pillars at the All-American Canal near the corner of the Cole and Bowker roads junction, just east of Andrade Avenue in Calexico. This is one of few areas with enough water and vegetation to support wildlife throughout the year. It is also one of the areas where I take my children for walks. The amount of trash dumping has dramatically increased during the past month and, at this rate, this whole area will be buried soon. Please inform the appropriate authorities so that they are aware of this situation. — Concerned Calexican
As always seems to be the case, there is no one-stop to deal with illegal dumping issues. We sent this question to Imperial Irrigation District officials knowing canals are IID rights of way, but apparently not all of the dumping is being done on IID ground.
Marion Champion, an IID spokeswoman, told us IID crews went out to the specific site in the letter Thursday to investigate. Crews found two principal areas in need of cleanup, one possibly on IID land and one either on county land or on private property.
She told us a proper surveying crew will go out to verify that it is indeed IID area. And after that, the mess will be cleaned up within days. On the other pile of debris, she said the county is aware of it and working with the property owner to get that portion remediated.
“Generally speaking, illegal dumping is a serious problem throughout our Valley. This is why IID recently joined forces with Imperial County to develop the “Keep the Valley Beautiful — Report Illegal Dumping” program. Other organizations who are taking an active part in the campaign are the Imperial Valley Farm Bureau and the Imperial Valley Resource Management Agency,” Champion said.
Illegal dumping is the disposal of waste of any kind in an unpermitted area. It is a major problem with significant social, health, environmental and economic impacts for our residents, she said. Areas used for illegal dumping may be easily accessible to people — especially children — who are vulnerable to the physical hazards posed by waste, she added.
Champion said residents can report illegal dump sites to the Imperial County Public Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 800-465-9007 or by e-mail at envhealth@co.imperial.ca.us. The county will then contact the property owner to arrange proper cleanup.
IID can be contacted through its Web site on illegal dumping at www.iid.com/illegaldumping
As always seems to be the case, there is no one-stop to deal with illegal dumping issues. We sent this question to Imperial Irrigation District officials knowing canals are IID rights of way, but apparently not all of the dumping is being done on IID ground.
Marion Champion, an IID spokeswoman, told us IID crews went out to the specific site in the letter Thursday to investigate. Crews found two principal areas in need of cleanup, one possibly on IID land and one either on county land or on private property.
She told us a proper surveying crew will go out to verify that it is indeed IID area. And after that, the mess will be cleaned up within days. On the other pile of debris, she said the county is aware of it and working with the property owner to get that portion remediated.
“Generally speaking, illegal dumping is a serious problem throughout our Valley. This is why IID recently joined forces with Imperial County to develop the “Keep the Valley Beautiful — Report Illegal Dumping” program. Other organizations who are taking an active part in the campaign are the Imperial Valley Farm Bureau and the Imperial Valley Resource Management Agency,” Champion said.
Illegal dumping is the disposal of waste of any kind in an unpermitted area. It is a major problem with significant social, health, environmental and economic impacts for our residents, she said. Areas used for illegal dumping may be easily accessible to people — especially children — who are vulnerable to the physical hazards posed by waste, she added.
Champion said residents can report illegal dump sites to the Imperial County Public Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 800-465-9007 or by e-mail at envhealth@co.imperial.ca.us. The county will then contact the property owner to arrange proper cleanup.
IID can be contacted through its Web site on illegal dumping at www.iid.com/illegaldumping
