Hikers, residents worry as building debris spreads By Becky Oskin ALTADENA -- Trash and building debris from the nearby La Vina housing development, dumped or blown into scenic Millard Canyon, has littered a wilderness trail with plastic foam insulation, food wrappers and coffee cups. Hikers and residents are concerned that no one seems to have taken responsibility for cleanup, and some worry the debris will find its way into the mountain stream below. "I'm not an extreme environmentalist, but I don't like walking in trash," said Randy Katai, a 19-year Altadena resident and former member of the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team. "A few good rains will wash this right into the creek." The steep southern slopes of Millard Canyon are covered with pieces of plastic foam insulation the size of pizza boxes. The debris comes from home construction still under way at the adjacent 269-home La Vina development. Building began more than three years ago on the 220-acre site at the top of Lincoln Avenue. The debris-covered portion of the trail is just next to La Vina. Stacks of the plastic foam panels, used to insulate house walls, rest near unfinished homes on the western side of La Vina. Less than a half-inch thick, they are light enough to be blown across the development and into the canyon by even moderate winds. La Vina is surrounded by the Angeles National Forest, but the portion of Millard Canyon Trail covered by construction debris is not a designated Forest Service trail. The Forest Service does not maintain it or provide markers, said Bruce Quintelier, an Angeles National Forest spokesman. And although the plastic foam panels could be on national forest land, there's little officials can do to force removal of the debris, Quintelier said. "I suppose we could issue (those responsible) a citation," Quintelier said. "It wouldn't have a big financial impact." Officials of the construction company, Compass Homes of Costa Mesa, said they are aware their construction materials blow into yards in the development. However, company president Rick Hauser said he didn't know the plastic foam pieces had also made their way into Millard Canyon. After windstorms, he said, Compass Homes employees pick up the litter within the development. "It's part of job cleanliness and community effort," Hauser said. After a recent windstorm, employees spent two days clearing up the debris, according to an on-site Compass Homes supervisor who refused to give his name. La Vina homeowners Marilyn Henderson and her daughter Eden Ayers said they've complained several times to Compass Homes about plastic foam pieces littering their lawn, the streets and the canyon. "We filled up two trash bags and three trash cans (with insulation) after the last windstorm," said Henderson, a two-year resident. Garbage cans along Old Toll Road were filled with insulation on a recent trash day. "This has happened four times in the last six months," Henderson said. "I don't understand why they don't do anything to button it down." The Sierra Club leads a recreational hike to explore the impact of the La Vina development on Millard Canyon today at 9 a.m. The first part of the hike involves a two-mile walk to Millard Canyon Falls, followed by a trek along the lower part of Millard Canyon up to the La Vina development. The hike will be canceled if it's raining. Anyone interested should meet at the Millard Canyon Campground at the end of Chaney Trail. The hike to Millard Canyon Falls involves a gentle gain in elevation, but be prepared for several stream crossings. Bring a lunch. For more information, call (626) 794-2603 or visit http://www.angeleschapter.org/pasadena/index.html. -- Becky Oskin can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4451, or at becky.oskin@sgvn.com. |
