Press Release

WASTE MANAGEMENT RE-COMMITS TO FULL
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT FOR PROJECT
Public comment to be solicited as part of planning process

SIMI VALLEY, CA, August 16, 2007 – Waste Management today re-committed to a full environmental review as part of the CEQA process for its proposed modernization and expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center

While the County, as the lead agency under CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act), has the discretion to determine whether and how an EIR should be prepared, Waste Management anticipates that the County will agree to this step. In fact, WM has always expected and advocated for a full environmental review of the project.

Waste Management submitted a detailed project description/application for its plans to the County Planning Department on April 11, 2007. Once the County has determined that the application is complete, it will officially determine if it will order a full EIR and hold “scoping meetings” that will be open and public.

It will likely take about a year for a neutral, third party consultant to do the necessary research and analysis and to issue this comprehensive report. The EIR will advise the community, the County and WM about project elements and impacts that might need to be addressed. The initial draft EIR will be circulated to the public. Residents of Ventura County will be encouraged to read the document and provide comments and feedback - all of which will become part of the project’s public record.

“We believe it is crucial to hear all residents’ thoughts on the project. We look forward to these public discussions,” said Mike Smith, Waste Management’s Market Area General Manager. “We will post the EIR on our website and make it available to pick up at locations throughout the County so that everyone has a chance to see the facts for themselves.”

“Until then, we invite folks to visit us, take a tour of the landfill, and get as much background information as possible, so that when the EIR is out for comment, they can help us make this the very best project possible - and make it a project that meets the needs of all of Ventura County, as well as the community of Simi Valley,” concludes Smith.

Anyone interested in signing up for a tour should call Scott Tignac of Waste Management at 805-579-7478.

Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a “green power” program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.KeepingVenturaCountyClean.com.

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