A barrier fence is planned to separate a Huntington Beach landfill from nearby housing, as cleanup efforts resume.
The Ascon Landfill was in operation from 1938 until 1984. At first, waste from industrial oil fields was dumped there, and later, debris from construction projects was also brought to Ascon. Cleanup efforts started in 2003, but Huntington Beach did not fund the project.
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is overseeing the cleanup, but has stopped the work temporarily in order to add new safety measures. The fence is one such safety device. The barrier is 16 feet high, and will flank Hamilton Avenue and Magnolia Street. Poster printing is often used to develop signage for projects like this.
The purpose of the new fence is to protect residential areas close to the landfill from any dust or debris that might be blown from the landfill during the excavation of the site. According to Dave Kiff, the city manager, who updated the city council on progress at the landfill, excavation has not begun yet. He also said the public will learn soon when remediation at Ascon will restart. It will likely take until late August to build the fence.
Kiff and other officials say they are aware of the concerns of residents, and the landfill will be considered by the City Council at their meetings for the foreseeable future.
