A group of residents in Colton, Calif., are demanding that the city force a scrap metal recycling yard to cease operations because of potential violations of state and federal environmental laws.
The business, Colton Iron and Metal, was cited by the city in November for erecting a metal structure on its property without proper city approvals or permits.
The company subsequently asked the city for a permit for the 264-square-foot building which is used to weigh vehicles coming into the 3.5-acre yard.
But the Planning Commission rejected the request and the City Council upheld the decision in July.
Despite the urging of several residents, however, the city is allowing the facility to continue operations.
During hearings before the commission, residents said that lead smelters had been operated on the property without pollution-control devices and, as a result, high concentrations of lead are likely to be present in the soil.
Residents also said that thousands of tons of used cars and hundreds of loads of used batteries had been stored on the property.
Neighboring businesses also expressed concerns about past fires on the property and the potential for more.
In addition, residents and nearby business owners said that concrete was hastily installed - without prior soil sampling or environmental review - to cover up contamination on the property.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Division has recommended that soil testing be conducted to determine whether contamination exists under the concrete.
Mary Graybill, a spokeswoman for Colton Iron and Metal, said the company is in complete compliance with all environmental rules, regulations and requirements.
"We've always worked in full cooperation with environmental and regulatory agencies and will continue to do so," Graybill said. "We don't have any outstanding violations."
Graybill said there was never a lead smelter on the property.
City Manager Daryl Parrish said Colton Iron and Metal is working with state authorities to determine the scope of the soil testing. He said the company will be required to perform environmental studies before receiving a permit for the metal structure.
"The city is anticipating and relying on Colton Iron and Metal to start that process very soon," Parrish said. "If they do not, the city will consider its options." San Bernardino County Sun