Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement in response to EPA’s designation of Lario Park as a hazardous waste processing site:

“I am deeply concerned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their decision to designate Lario Park as a collection and processing site for hazardous materials left behind by the Eaton Fire, including lithium electric vehicle batteries. These materials pose significant environmental and health risks, especially in residential areas. The EPA, as a federal agency, holds authority over this matter, and its actions supersede local jurisdiction given the project takes place on federal land. While I recognize the importance of addressing the aftermath of the fire and ensuring proper disposal of hazardous waste, this federal project has not included consultation or consideration of the local communities that will be directly affected. The potential risks associated with hazardous materials, particularly lithium electric vehicle batteries, which are highly flammable and pose environmental contamination risks, are a matter of significant concern. The removal of these materials should not come at the cost of creating a toxic environment for communities already disproportionately impacted by pollution. To that end, my office joined a site visit at Lario Park this morning with Congressman Gil Cisneros and local leaders to raise critical questions directly with EPA representatives. As we continue to learn more about the operations’ plans, I urge our federal agencies to keep constituents well-informed and mitigate these impacts on our communities.”

For further inquiries pertaining to the collection of household hazardous waste at Lario Park, please contact:

US Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles Office, (213) 452-3921; publicaffairs.spl@usace.army.mil

US EPA, Southern California Field Office, (213) 244-1800

Press Officer, Julia Giarmoleo, (213) 326-2033; giarmoleo.julia@epa.gov

To read a statement by Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, click here.