Controversial Landfill Project Back In Spotlight - Gregory Canyon Proposed To Be Built At Mouth Of San Luis Rey River

SAN DIEGO -- A controversial landfill project is back in the spotlight.

For two decades, Gregory Canyon has been in the middle of a huge debate between environmentalists and developers.

"It's the wrong project at the wrong place at the wrong time," said Pamela Epstein of the Sierra Club.

Gregory Canyon LTD developers want to build the landfill 3.5 miles east of Interstate 15 and just south of State Route 76. It would sit at the mouth of the San Luis Rey River, which covers several aquifers that provide about 15 percent of Oceanside's drinking water.

At a public hearing in Fallbrook on Wednesday night, most did not support the idea of a nearby landfill.

"Putting a landfill adjacent to the San Luis Rey River is ludicrous," said Fallbrook resident Rose Bolton. "We all know that waste management is big business and there is lots of money to be made but at what cost to human lives?"

Pauma Valley resident Fritz Stumpkis said, "If you listen you'll feel the spirits. That's the only thing I think could change your hearts."

Developers said state-of the-art environmental safety measures including a multi-layer ground liner would prevent contaminants from seeping into the ground.

"You simply cannot build something in California that'll hurt a water supply," said Gregory Canyon LTD Spokeswoman Nancy Chase.

But some don't believe that.

"All landfill liners leak in time," said Bonsall resident Helene Brazier.

The Sierra Club and the Pala Band of Mission Indians claim the proposed landfill would desecrate spiritual grounds and impact archaeological sites and endangered species.

"I'd like you to think about what you're going to put -- a dump -- right on their sacred mountain," said Stumpkis. "Feel it. Sit there. You'll find an eagle floating by."

The developers said they're doing everything they can to protect cultural resources although they believe they're subjective and can't be verified.

Supporters of the project said the landfill must be built because local landfills including the Miramar Landfill are near or at capacity.

"We can't be exporting [trash] to other regions," said Andrew Poat of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. "We have to find some place here in San Diego… but we still have half of it to get rid of and it has to go somewhere."

On Wedneday, no decision on the Gregory Canyon landfill was made. State and federal agencies are expected to approve or reject the landfill in the next several weeks.