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Santa Cruz County health department seeks EPA grant to tackle littering and illegal dumping
Summary
County health officials asked the board for a letter of support for an EPA 'Thriving Communities' grant of up to $250,000 aimed at community education, cleanup and enforcement to address recurring illegal dumping and litter hotspots.
Jose Arriola, deputy director of Santa Cruz County Health and Human Services, asked the Board of Supervisors on March 18 for a letter of support for an EPA Thriving Communities grant application that could provide up to $250,000 for projects addressing littering and illegal dumping.
Arriola said the health department receives frequent complaints about trash and dumping and that some hotspots generate recurring violations. The proposal described in the meeting would focus on public education, community engagement and targeted cleanup projects. Arriola said the department is exploring enforcement options and coordinating with County Attorney and Community Development when notices of violation fail to produce compliance.
"Littering and illegal dumping could meet the criteria for funding," Arriola said, noting the agency is seeking a phase 2 award of up to $250,000 to kick-start a countywide project. He asked the board to provide a letter of support as part of the application.
Board members and staff discussed volunteer cleanup efforts, school-based education to change attitudes about littering, and coordination with existing groups such as Santa Cruz Shining. County Manager Valdez and Public Works staff said cleanup costs are high if contractors are used (estimates cited in the meeting included $7,000 to $10,000 per mile for contracted cleanup because of traffic control and logistics), and that volunteers and cooperative strategies may be necessary to cover 700+ miles of county roads.
Ending: The board indicated support and asked staff to coordinate a letter of support; Health and Human Services left grant materials for staff and said it will follow up with the county manager on preparing the letter.
