Barger Calls On Assemblywoman Schiavo For State’s Help With Chiquita Canyon Landfill Odor Incident

L.A. County Supervisor Katheryn Barger wrote the following letter to Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo calling on her to have Governor Newsom declare a State of Emergency in connection to the Chiquita Landfill.

Dear Assemblymember Schiavo :

I am writing to urgently seek your immediate assistance and support related to the Chiquita Canyon Landfill ( Landfill) odor incident . Given the recent action taken by California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency for the ongoing incident in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, my office and our shared constituents seek a better understanding and an official position from the State of California ( State) regarding the potential for a similar State declaration of emergency for the Chiquita Canyon Landfill odor incident .

I have written to California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Nancy Ward to request their agency’s presence at the next meeting of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill ( Landfill ) Community Advisory Committee ( CAC) , scheduled for September 10 , 2024 at 6:00 p.m. However , as Cal OES is a State agency , I am requesting that your office support this request and urge them to appear in person at the meeting .

In addition, at recent CAC meetings , members of the community have voiced that a declaration of emergency would directly lead to significant financial relief for impacted residents . Specifically, the community believes they will be able to access the following benefits:

Relief Funds: Some constituents believe that , with a formal declaration of emergency , recipients of relief funds would be exempted from paying Federal and State Income Tax on funds received directly from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill Community Relief Program , which is privately operated and distributed by Waste Connections , the operator of the Landfill .

Mortgage and Credit Protection :

Some constituents believe that , with a formal declaration , residents who choose to relocate — whether temporarily or permanently -will have their current home mortgages frozen , which would also help safeguard their credit ratings during these challenging times .

The Honorable Pilar Schiavo September 5 , 2024 Page 2

Given the considerable impact of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill odor incident on this community, I kindly request your assistance in asking for relevant State agencies to attend the CAC meeting to provide clarity on these matters and also address these specific questions:

Relief Funds Taxation :

Can you confirm whether a declaration of emergency would enable recipients to retain the full amount of relief funds without the proposed State tax implications?

Mortgage and Credit Protection :

Is there a formal process to facilitate the freezing of mortgages and protection of credit ratings for those who need to relocate due to the ongoing issues? If so , please provide details on the procedures and eligibility criteria for accessing this support .

Understanding these details is crucial for our constituents as they navigate the complex challenges brought about by this incident . Your attention to these concerns and your timely response would greatly support our efforts to manage the impact of this situation .

If you have any questions, please reach out to my Planning Deputy, Anish Saraiya , at ( 213) 974-5555 or at asaraiya@bos.lacounty.gov .

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