Landfill COC gets county website link

A news report appearing in The Press-Enterprise on April 19, “Residents question landfill expansion, practices,” quoted members of the El Sobrante Landfill Citizen Oversight Committee and concerns they have with landfill operations.

Many Temescal Valley residents didn’t know an oversight committee existed and what its role is in dealing with the landfill. The Riverside County Waste Management Department last month added a link on its website, “COC Corner,” that lists meeting agendas and minutes, and committee members.

The committee was formed in 1998 and is comprised of five members appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Its purpose is to review the El Sobrante Annual Monitoring Report and provide comment to the supervisors on the report, including issues or concerns. The annual report is required to ensure the landfill is operating in conformance with the county’s monitoring program. All committee members must live in proximity to the landfill.

The committee must meet at least once a year but can meet more often. It has no authoritative powers and acts solely in an advisory capacity.

Current committee members are Chairman Rob Mucha, Vice Chairman Amie Kinne, Paul Rodriguez, Jana Walchle and Jack Wyatt.

The next committee meeting is 10 a.m., July 16 at the Lee Lake Water District office, 22646 Temescal Canyon Road. The county is expected to address the recent concerns raised by the committee. The meeting is open to the public.