CORRESPONDENCE_2008 (1/08 TO 6/08)

Home Browse Search

, , 'TATE OF CALIFORN0IA—BUSINESS TRANSPO ON AND HOUSING AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER,Governor DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 41;�t LEGAL DIVISION-MS 57 P6 s� 1120 N STREET, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 P. O. BOX 1438, SACRAMENTO, CA 95812-1438 PHONE (916)654-2630 Flex your pozeer! FAX (916)654-6128 Be energy efficient! TTY 711 F-1-3VVED March 28, 2008 APR 2008 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY WRONMENTAL HEALLRI DEPT Todd A. Del Frate Engineering Geologist Waste Discharge to Land Regional Water Quality Control Board 11020 Sun Center Drive #200 Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-6114 Subject: Corral Hollow Landfill, San Joaquin County This office has reviewed your letter of January 30, 2008, as well as a draft letter from the Integrated Waste Management Board dated March 17, 2008. Please consider this correspondence as responsive to both letters. By way of brief general background, I note that the landfill site was operated many decades ago by the City of Tracy and the County of San Joaquin (the County). My understanding is that the County previously assumed responsibility for any activity by the City of Tracy. It is also my understanding that the site is currently under active investigation by the County, and that the County will ultimately be primarily responsible for any necessary remediation. Caltrans' association with this site is minimal. We acquired in the mid-1960's right of way adjacent to the landfill for a public purpose, Interstate 580. While Caltrans was aware of the adjacent active landfill, Caltrans prohibited any deposition of waste on its right of way, immediately upon gaining control of the acquired property. My understanding now is that the County's investigation has revealed the lateral extent of the deposited landfill waste extends onto Caltrans' right of way, but only to the extent of about 1/3 of an acre. In recent discussions between Caltrans staff and staff from San Joaquin County, the County has taken a position that Caltrans should share in any remedial costs, perhaps based on the proportion of site property owned by each party. Caltrans has consistently taken the position that such costs should be incurred by the party responsible for placing the waste, i.e., the County. At the same time Caltrans has emphasized, and demonstrated, that it will cooperate and facilitate any activity by the County which may be necessary to address the public health issue. "Caltrans improues rnobility across California"