One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
12 Companies Settle over Cleanup of Contaminated Site in Monterey Park, Considered a National Priority
The site is split by the Pomona Freeway (SR-60) in Monterey Park | Photo via EPA
An Environmental Protection Agency division overseeing the cleanup of a 190-acre Monterey Park landfill shuttered in 1984 has received more funding, the federal agency announced today. A settlement of $3.87 million from 12 companies that dumped hazardous materials and wastes at the site between 1948 and its closing has been completed.
In all, more than 300 million gallons were dumped and around 38 million cubic yards of refuse were disposed by some 6,000 companies. The recent settlement only represents cleanup costs from dumping by those 12 companies. About $600 million has been secured over the years and 650 companies were sent settlement letters in mid-March.
The site was placed on the EPA's National Priorities List in 1986 because it posed a long-term threat to public health and the environment. "Approximately 23,000 people live within three miles of the site, and 2,100 people live within 1,000 feet of the landfill," a project report noted.
Included in the settlement were Princes Cruises in Valencia and Halliburton Energy Services Inc. in Houston, Texas.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
