Protest against Incineration in Modesto

Grayson Neighborhood Council
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice

For immediate release: Media Advisory

For more information contact: Rosenda Mataka, Grayson Neighborhood Council (209) 895-3352
Gabby Reynoso, community member (209) 577-4205
Jessica Tovar & Bradley Angel, Greenaction (415) 248-5010

“Stop Dumping Waste from Around the State and Other States on the West Side!”
“Stop the Covanta Incinerator, Increase Recycling and Waste Reduction!”

Stanislaus County Residents, Community and Environmental Justice Groups to
Demand County Board of Supervisors Stop Importing Garbage and Wastes
from other counties and states to the Covanta Incinerator in Crow’s Landing


What: Community Protest Against Covanta Incinerator and Importation of Wastes;
and Testifying at Board of Supervisors meeting

Where: City and County Government Building 1010 – 10th Street, Modesto

When: Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Protest at 6 p.m. in front of building
Board of Supervisors meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Grayson, CA -- Residents of communities on the west side of Stanislaus County and community and environmental justice groups will hold a protest on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 6 p.m. in front of the City and County Government Building to demand an end to the importation and burning of wastes from other states and counties at the Covanta garbage incinerator in Crow’s Landing.

At 6:30 p.m. community members will attend the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors meeting and testify about their concerns. Many residents are upset that County officials actively seek to import waste from other areas to burn at the incinerator, especially since the incinerator emits dioxin and other highly toxic pollutants into the air. Dioxin is the most toxic substance known to science, even at low levels of exposure. Dioxin causes cancer, birth defects, reproductive illnesses and other health problems.

The Grayson Neighborhood Council recently got documents from Stanislaus County officials documenting the types of waste imported for incineration from other states and counties. Residents were alarmed to learn that waste was being burned from Oregon, Nevada and Washington and many counties across California.

Although many believed the incinerator just burned garbage, it also burns drugs and other contraband, firearms, used oil filters, shredded plastic, toner cartridges and pharmaceuticals. The Grayson Neighborhood Council and Greenaction want the Covanta incinerator closed down, and recycling and waste prevention measures greatly increased.


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