Nevada

Latest Action

In the last issue of EBY, we reported on the frustrations of local residents in Clark County east of Las Vegas who unknowingly bought homes in a 900 home development located next to an old garbage landfill. Although the landfill was ordered to shut down in 1998, it was never properly closed. In August Republic Services, who owns the landfill, agreed to pay $1 million in penalties and acknowledged that an estimated $36 million in work must be done to cleanup the dump. One commissioner argued that the company should not push any of the landfill costs onto taxpayers, saying “they should pay for whatever it takes to close it correctly.” But another commissioner disagreed and said the consent decree leaves room for the county and the company to negotiate. Citizen activists feel the community must organize or they will end up getting the short end of the deal.

Activists are organizing to address possible heath threats caused by run off from the Sunrise Landfill in Clark County, just east of Las Vegas. Developers have built more than 900 homes at the edge of the landfill.  This new development is home to mostly low-income Latino residents. Although the landfill was closed in 1993, it was never properly closed. A clay cap was poorly installed causing cracks to form that provide a pathway for water to mix with waste. This “leachate” drains into the area where the new homes were built, raising safety and environmental questions. Landfill odors are also a concern. A flood in 1998 resulted in tons of waste from the landfill being washed out into the newly developed area, raising concerns about potential contamination. County officials estimate it will cost millions of dollars over 30 years to maintain the cap, monitor the ground water, and collect and burn off the landfill gases. Some of the new homeowners are upset that they were never told about the landfill and the problems it poses for homes built so close. CHEJ is providing organizing support to the residents.

A local organizer in Las Vegas is talking with residents about the possible dangers at a new housing development being built near the Sunrise Landfill. The landfill operator was ordered by the Clark County Commission to close and permanently seal the landfill in 1998. The company agreed to carry out the closure in exchange for an exclusive contract extension to pick-up the town’s trash. The town agreed, but the landfill has been neither closed nor permanently sealed. CHEJ’s organizing staff is providing guidance to local citizens who are circulating information about the landfill to new homeowners, who may not be aware of the landfill, and to determine if there is interest in further organizing by those impacted most by the stench and hazards of the landfill.

Residents of Lovelock want to stop the NV Cement from operating a cement quarry in their valley. The residents have the support of the County Commission but the law director asked the county to take another vote. CHEJ discussed organizing strategies with local leaders who generated a petition opposing the zoning change to permit the plant. Letters were also sent to local, state and federal elected representatives. The residents succeeded in convincing the county commissioners to deny the request by NV Cement for a zoning change. They attribute their success to the large number of people including absentee owners who turned out at the county commission meetings.

Residents in Lovelock are working to stop NV Cement from building a rock quarry in their community.  Citizens have an ongoing petition campaign and have been able to produce large turnouts at the Planning Commission meetings. The Planning Commission voted not to rezone the area; however, the local District Attorney felt a second hearing was needed.  Citizens organized a second turn out and the Commission voted not to rezone the area for a rock quarry a second time. Congratulations!