Kettleman City Residents React to Proposed Expansion of Toxic Waste Dump

Last month the State Department of Toxic Substances Control issued a draft permit to expand the toxic waste landfill located near the Central Valley town of Kettleman City. The town’s residents got their first look at the plan Wednesday at a public open house hosted by the DTSC. Over the years many people in Kettleman City have expressed concern about possible health impacts posed by the landfill just three miles from town. They have also criticized State agencies for not taking their concerns seriously enough. The farmworker town gained national attention in 2010 after a spike of tragic birth defect struck a dozen families over a five year period. The State launched an intensive environmental investigation after demands from residents and environmental justice advocates. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.