Edhat Staff
(Mike Eliason photo)
Source: County of Santa Barbara
It is illegal to dump debris, mud, rocks or other material from the 1/9 debris flow into creek beds and storm drains. Dumping into creeks can cause significant flooding and debris flow hazards during future storms.
“Unfortunately, we have learned of a few instances of residents pushing mud into creek channels that were cleared following the 1/9 debris flow,” said Rob Lewin, Director for the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management. “We are working daily to find new debris disposal options and encourage the public to check ReadySBC.org for options,” he said.
Improper waste disposal violates several state and county laws and ordinances. Individuals, including property owners and contractors, are subject to penalties and fines if found illegally dumping. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Code enforcement officers are present in the impacted neighborhoods to monitor illegal activity.
To report illegal dumping, contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife CalTIP phone number at (888) 334-2258.
Property owners wanting to restore their properties to pre-storm conditions should refer to the “Mud Debris Clean-Up Guidelines” at the ReadySBC.org website prior to starting clean-up operations to identify local permitted haulers, facilities that can accept the debris, and what to do if hazardous materials are encountered.
Why can’t they just dump it at Goleta Beach like all of the County’s contractors were doing?
Yeah, they always put a rock revetment on that beach anyway (real natural). Probably will once they finish dumping mud there…
I thought the “Why can’t they just dump at Goleta Beach” comment was a joke at first, but now I’m not so sure. Dumping that mud at Summerland and Goleta Beaches was a travesty. How awful for the micro life in the sand and shorebirds at those beaches. I bet we will never know just how negatively that dumping affected sand critters, shorebirds, etc.