A coalition of five environmental justice groups has called for the disbandment of the committee tasked to negotiate ways to make the Kettleman Hills landfills expansion more acceptable to the community, arguing its formation without any Latino representation is illegal.

But Kings County officials insist the procedure was properly followed, and say there's nothing illegal about the committee's composition.

The coalition, led by Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, also urges members of the Local Assessment Committee (LAC) to step down to allow for increased diversity in the decision-making process.

None of the committee members is a Latino from Kettleman City. The only Kettleman City resident on the board, Aletha Ware, is an open supporter of Waste Management.

"We're tired of them not listening," said Maricela Mares Alatorre, a Kettleman City resident and a member of El Pueblo Para El Aire y Agua Limpio. "The committee doesn't include anyone who represents the demographics and interests of Kettleman City, which is directly impacted by the project.

"They have to understand Kettleman City is different from Hanford. We don't have the same access to resources. Not to take that into account is disrespectful," Alatorre said.

The LAC is tasked to negotiate an agreement with Waste Management, based on public input, about what measures are taken to ensure protection of public health and how the community may be paid off for any perceived negative costs from the project over and beyond the requirements of the permit.

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the seven-member committee includes individuals representing industrial and environmental interests as well as general community interests surrounding Waste Management's latest project to expand its hazardous waste landfill capacity to serve the needs for another 30 to 35 years.

Opposition groups argue the LAC formation was illegal.

"The current makeup of the LAC is part of a long history of barring Latinos from participating in land use decisions in Kings County," stated the coalition's letter to Kings County officials dated July 31.

Kings County Planning Agency Director Bill Zumwalt disagrees.

"They have the right to request anything," Zumwalt said. "All I can say is we've followed the requirements of the law in the formation of the Local Assessment Committee."

Kettleman City, a town of 1,500, is about 3.5 miles away from the landfills. Residents there report cases of cancer and high rates of asthma, although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has concluded there's no evidence that residents experience adverse impacts from the landfills.

Waste Management says its facility is highly engineered and their operation closely monitored to ensure health and safety of surrounding communities are protected.

The company proposes to expand the existing landfill by 11 acres and construct a new 64-acre landfill, a move it says would extend the hazardous waste disposal capacity by 32 years.

Consultants are currently preparing the final environmental documents for the Board of Supervisors to take action on.

With the public comment period on the environmental document now closed, the LAC's monthly public meeting remains the only outlet for direct public participation.

Mindful of the criticism, the committee last month approved the hiring of an independent consultant who will be responsible for increased coordination and liaising with Kettleman City residents.

The committee is waiting on word from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The agency with a role under the Tanner Act, which requires the formation of the LAC, is helping with the hiring process, Zumwalt said.

Once the consultant is hired, the Kings County Planning Agency will step down as administrator of the LAC. The agency also administers the permitting process.

"I don't think there's necessarily a conflict of interest, but the perception is there. I understand the concerns of people for us representing both," Zumwalt said. "We feel it's better for the LAC to have a completely independent administrator."

The coalition supported the idea, but said the move is overdue.

Vern Grewal, chairman of the LAC, said the committee is also taking additional steps to ensure better communication with Kettleman City residents.

The LAC formed a subcommittee specifically tasked to interact with the local residents to receive input, Grewal said.

In response to the recent letter from the coalition, Grewal said he agrees with many of the recommendations, such as holding meetings in Kettleman City.

When asked about the coalition's demand for the board's resignation, Grewal said he would follow the law.

"The county says they followed the Tanner Act, and there's nothing illegal about the committee. I have to rely on that expert opinion," Grewal said. "If it's determined that the committee's formation was illegal, I have no problem stepping down. What I know is that it's my personal choice to give back to the community with my knowledge and experience."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.