October 16, 2019 – On October 8, 2019, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office, along with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife served a search warrant at the Original Sixteen-to-One Mine in Alleghany, California.
Law enforcement received information that a large amount of hazardous waste, along with solid waste was intentionally buried close to Kanaka Creek.
During the investigation law enforcement was able to obtain a search warrant authorizing access to the mine site to search for the hazardous waste.
Once on site we were able to locate the suspected dumpsite, and with the use of heavy equipment we unearthed hundreds of pounds of solid waste (household appliances, garbage, and e-waste) and 38 barrels of suspected waste oil.
Approximately 500 pounds of contaminated soil, 45 gallons of waste oil, and 30 cubic yards of oily debris were removed from the dumpsite located on the mine’s property.
The investigation will be forwarded to the Sierra County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible felony prosecution of those responsible for the illegal dumping of hazardous waste.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control for their support and hard work during this investigation.