1. When did EDCO buy the land.  How come I only just found out?

EDCO bought the land and closed escrow nearly 15 months ago. EDCO bought the land using a limited liability corporation called Federal Boulevard LLC. Not even the real estate agents in the Valley Center knew about this purchase. EDCO now owns approximately 197 acres of land between Betsworth and Mirar de Valle. Apparently the land cost EDCO approximately $6 million.

2. How did you find out about this?

Afew weeks ago, the local Fire Marshall asked a member of  the Valley Center Fire Protection District if he was aware of the "major" development on Betsworth. This alerted concerned citizens as to what was happening. EDCO never publicly admitted they had bought the land, nor what the final use purpose was. EDCO paid approximately $30,000/acre. EDCO was FORCED to make their land deal public after residents realized what was going on. EDCO did not come forward or involve the community until AFTER their plan was revealed. EDCO has quietly worked on this for two years.

3. How bad can it be?  it's just an organic waste facility.

It sounds very benign and eco-friendly. That's what EDCO would have us believe. And there is a need for these types of facilities, but not in residential communities with a strong agricultural economic base. EDCO has yet to stipulate exactly what types of "organic waste" will be used. In some similar facilities organic waste includes feedstock which contains sludge which can include human and animal waste.

1. This facility will require hundreds of gallons of water to function
2. A similar facility in Washington State has had issues with leaking containment reservoirs and multiple law suits because of odor and noise issues as far away as eight miles from the site
3. EDCO frequently use a site in Everett in Washington as an example. What they fail to mention is that it is not near residential areas and is located on a pennisula
   
4. Once EDCO has their major use permit they can just apply for more permits to increase the scope of the operation. Today its an organic waste facility, in five years it could be the biggest facility in San Diego County
5. These waste facilities require frequent loads of waste be trucked in and the resulting by-product be shipped out. EDCO claims they will just have 20- 23 trucks a day, but that isn't the same as trips. A single 18 wheeler truck could make six trips a day.
6. The facility is open to the public. Imagine hundreds of vehicles piled high with garden waste driving from Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rainbow, Escondido, Vista, San Marcos - all San Diego County into Valley Center - six days a week
7. Operations will run for 10 hours a day, six days a week to run diesel powered grinders.

4. Why are the local agriculture growers upset?

The quick answer is quarantine violation. Despite what EDCO says, the trash industry self-regulates when it comes to chain of custody, of waste. That is they rely on individuals to self-report if waste comes from quarantined areas. There is nothing to stop the facility from importing citrus killing pests which would infect local citrus , avocado and persimmon crops. EDCO has no way of guaranteeing the incoming loads or preventing the facility from spreading disease or pests to adjacent groves.There are several quarantine zones within San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties. The facility presents an undue threat to our community. Local farmers could lose their crops.

5. Does EDCO have permits?

Not yet. EDCO needs to apply for a Major Use Permit. The land they own is currently only zoned for agricultural use. We intend to oppose the issuance of a major use permit on several legal and community grounds. EDCO has selected a site that is inappropriate for a high volume, high traffic facility.