County Files Civil Complaint to Protect Barrio Logan

County Counsel, the attorneys representing the County of San Diego, filed a civil complaint in San Diego Superior Court today (Friday, March 15, 2002) in an effort to address repeated hazardous waste violations and air pollution concerns by Master Plating, a chrome plating shop in Barrio Logan.

Today’s action follows a press conference last week where Supervisor Greg Cox and District Attorney Paul Pfingst announced that an inspection by the County’s Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Division revealed a number of hazardous waste violations at the Master Plating site. The company is also under close scrutiny for increased levels of airborne hexavalent chromium in the immediate area, a potential health risk to neighbors who are exposed over a long period of time.

“Master Plating has been a chronic violator who has consistently demonstrated a complete disregard for compliance with laws and regulations regarding storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous waste at their facility,” said Supervisor Greg Cox, who represents Barrio Logan on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “I will not allow Master Plating to continue to operate as a bad neighbor to this community and as a bad citizen of Barrio Logan.”

County Counsel expects to appear in court next week to request injunctive relief, in the form of a temporary restraining order, and to request hearing on a preliminary injunction.