SACRAMENTO – California’s Senate Committee on Public Safety unanimously (7-0) approved Senate Bill 409, a measure to crack down on illegal dumping, according to Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, 21st Senate District representative.

“The High Desert is not a dump and shouldn’t be treated as such,” Wilk said in a statement Wednesday. “Last week I met with iHeart Lake Los Angeles and they provided me with some jaw-dropping photos of the debris left in the High Desert (including the photo above). I think these photos had a tremendous impact on the Committee’s decision. They clearly show the extent of the problem and the disproportional impact it has on rural and disadvantaged areas.”

Between January of 2017 and March 2019, 89 Antelope Valley properties had a Notice of Building Code Violation recorded by the Department of Public Works. Each of these properties had dumping of waste exceeding 50 cubic yards.

Co-authored by Sen. Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, SB 409 seeks to reduce unlawful dumping by increasing penalties and requiring that property owners obtain state and local permits prior to allowing dumping on their property.

Unlawfully dumped tires recently removed from a high desert site await pickup for recycling. | Courtesy photo.

The bill also holds truckers responsible for transporting waste for the purpose of unlawful dumping, and expands the agencies authorized to declare a property a nuisance with unlawfully dumped waste.

The measure received support from CA Association of Professional Scientists, the State’s employed scientists responsible for protecting the public, wildlife, and natural resources from waste and pollution.

SB 409 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it will be assessed for its fiscal costs to the State and localities.

State Sen. Scott Wilk met with people from iHeart Lake Los Angeles last week to discuss the unlawful dumping of trash problem. Pictured with him: Lyn Bateman, Gloria Ocegueda, Shirley Harriman and Jackie Livingstone. | Courtesy photo.