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STAFF REPORT -3- <br /> FORWARD, INC. , CLASS II-1 DISPOSAL SITE <br /> SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY <br /> Concerned Parties <br /> The San Joaquin County Farm Bureau has voiced strong concerns regarding the <br /> adequacy of not only the monitoring program, but also the site as a Class II-1 <br /> landfill . The primary concern appears to center around the solar evaporation <br /> ponds which the Bureau alleges have leaked substantial quantities of salt into the <br /> ground water. Under court order, Forward allowed the Bureau to perform a soils <br /> investigation to determine whether the solar pond liners have leaked. The sam- <br /> pling portion of the investigation was completed at the end of August 1982. The <br /> Bureau had agreed to divide the samples equally for independent analysis between <br /> itself, the State and Forward. To date, the samples have not been distributed, <br /> nor has any analysis been done. <br /> Because of expressed concern by the Bureau, the San Joaquin County Board of <br /> Supervisors held public hearings and decided to contract with a "third party" <br /> consultant who would technically evaluate the overall situation at the site. <br /> However, when the Bureau pursued legal action against Forward, the Board of <br /> Supervisors withdrew the offer until the legal issues are resolved in court. <br /> In mid-September 1982, Mr. Dwight Baier, representing the San Joaquin County Farm <br /> Bureau Federation, appeared before the Hazardous Waste Management Council (HWMC) <br /> to express concerns regarding Forward, Inc. Ms. Katie Easterwood, Executive <br /> Director of the HWMC, agreed with Ms. Carol Onorato (Chairwoman of the State Board <br /> and a member of the HWMC), that the allegations should be addressed by the State <br /> Board. State Board staff recently requested Regional Board staff to prepare a <br /> response. Staff has completed a report in response to concerns of Mr. Baier. The <br /> report explained many misunderstandings, listed minor WDR violations, described <br /> past actions and future plans, and indicated that no significant ground water <br /> problem has been detected. <br /> In addition, the San Joaquin County Grand Jury has issued a report on the, Forward <br /> site. The report indicates that the Grand Jury is concerned and recommends that <br /> the County Board of Supervisors: (1) acknowledge the potentially hazardous <br /> conditions that exist, (2) make every effort to gain more local control of the . <br /> site, (3) consider the possibility of a third party evaluation, and (4) request <br /> more frequent inspections of the site by appropriate state agencies. We have not <br /> received any correspondence from the County. However, we will continue to work <br /> cooperatively with the County in regulation of the Forward site. <br /> Attachment <br />