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Health department seeks EPA grant to tackle illegal dumping; requests supervisors’ letter of support
Summary
Santa Cruz County health officials said they are applying for an EPA Thriving Communities Phase 2 grant of up to $250,000 to address littering and illegal dumping and asked the Board of Supervisors for a letter of support to complete the application.
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 a federal grant application to address countywide littering and illegal dumping.
Arriola said the county is pursuing an EPA Thriving Communities Phase 2 award that could provide up to $250,000 if the application is successful. "We're applying for a phase 2 award. It's up to $250,000 if we are awarded," he said. He told the board the department receives frequent complaints about trash and that causes range from lack of services or cost barriers to people disposing of household or construction debris on vacant lots.
Arriola said the department is considering a public-education and community-engagement campaign targeted at recurring dump hotspots and that enforcement options are being reviewed with the County Attorney’s Office and Community Development. He noted that notices of violation for illegal dumping are a class 3 misdemeanor but said the department hopes to secure compliance without criminal prosecution when possible.
County Manager Valdez agreed to coordinate on the requested letter of support and Arriola left application materials for county staff to review. No formal vote was recorded; the request was presented as part of department reports and county staff indicated they would provide the letter.
