History

Early plans by the Campo Band

In 1978 the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians developed an economic development plan which designated the proposed landfill site for industrial development. Several projects were considered for the site but none were deemed feasible or acceptable to the community. The Reservation was designated as a potential site for a landfill in a San Diego County landfill site suitability search in the early 80's, but this designation was rejected by the Campo Band because it was done without tribal consultation. In the mid 80's the Campo Band began to consider a trash to energy facility as one potential development for the site. By 1988 it had become clear that trash to energy was not feasible without a secure waste stream. Also, the residual from the process must still be disposed in a suitable location. It was determined that the only secure process that would provide the revenue stream on a consistent basis while allowing a phased in approach to financing was the development of a landfill.

The landfill option develops

Initially, several types of landfills were considered up to, and including, hazardous waste facilities. These were rejected in the preliminary review process primarily as a protective measure to minimize the potential risks of groundwater contamination.

In 1989 the Campo Band began the scoping process with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs as the lead agency. The Band involved the public at the earliest stage of the process although a developer who would meet the tribal conditions had not been found.

A company is selected

The Band advertised across the country and selected Mid American Waste Systems to develop and operate the facility. One caveat the Band had put on the process was the condition that the EIS be accepted by the Band before final approval of the lease. The Band created the tribal corporation Muht Hei, Inc. to oversee the business side of the process.

In 1990 the Band created the Campo Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the landfill would be constructed and operated to the standards adopted by the Band.

Environmental Impact Statement and Lease

The Environmental Impact Statement was completed and challenges struck down by 1994. The lease from the Band to the tribal corporation Muht Hei and the sub-lease to Mid-American Waste Systems were subsequently approved. The Campo EPA granted the Authority to Construct to MHI and MAWS and construction was ready to proceed.

Mid American Waste fails meet lease requirements

Mid American Waste, in a strategic move to grab up capacity in anticipation of a landfill shortage, had overextended their corporate reach. Coupled with the loss in a bidding war in Florida, the result was a corporate debt in excess of 600 million dollars. The Campo project was a small portion of the debt, approximately 5%.

Mid American was unable to begin construction with this shortfall. After several months of negotiation, the Campo Band declared Mid American in default and began the process of dissolving the lease agreement in 1994.

Market uncertainty

Although the Campo Band could have proceeded with the construction of the facility at this time, several key factors were coming to play which resulted in the decision to hold back temporarily.

• On December 6, 1994 Orange County declared bankruptcy. This was followed by an aggresive marketing of county landfills for waste as a revenue generator.

• California diversion law AB939 mandated a 25% reduction in the waste stream through recycling and other means by 1995.

• In 1997, San Diego County decided to privatize its waste systems in light of massive cost overruns of the San Marcos recycling facility.

These factors combined to make the market uncertain. The Campo Band decided to wait for a settling of the market and the implementation of the second AB939 25% waste stream reduction in 2000. This also gave time to assess the impact of competing commercial waste facilities north and east of Campo.

Discussions restart

In 2000, the Campo Band began to put out inquiries and held discussions with various companies on the prospect of partnering with the Band in developing the project.

One of the strong points in negotiation is that the Campo Band comes to the table with both the site and $30 million dollars worth of environmental and political assets. This puts the Band in a much stronger negotiating position than previously with Mid American. However, the waste market is extremely competitive and the project would have to meet the economic goals of the Campo Band to be accepted. The waste stream in San Diego has absorbed the impacts of its economic and political history and now has more promise than when the project was first pursued.

Reaffirmation vote

In December 2001, the General Council of the Campo Band voted to reaffirm their support for the landfill project to continue.

A new agreement is reached

Since December, 2001, BLT, Inc. has emerged as the preferred partner for the tribal project in negotiations with the tribal corporation Muht Hei, Inc. On December 12, 2004, BLT, Inc. presented a proposal to the Campo Kumeyaay General Council where it was approved by a 90% margin. The Campo General Council (comprised of all adult tribal members) maintains the same commitment to regulatory and design protections they established in the original project.