Ash pile set for removal

The huge pile of fly ash on property off Hicks Lane in north Chico is slated for transport to a Wheatland landfill beginning today, Aug. 23. It’s been there since 2008.

The estimated 19,000 tons of dioxin- and metal-containing ash was traced to the Covanta Energy-owned Pacific Oroville Power Inc. facility in Oroville’s Highway 70 Industrial Park. Tests on the ash were conducted by the Butte County District Attorney’s Office working with the Butte Environmental Council. According to the DA, testing revealed metal levels above what’s acceptable for agricultural use and wildlife exposure and the dioxins levels are above community health standards and for wildlife.

Tests have also indicated that dioxins have been located on adjacent wetlands. And it is not clear how many orchards have used the ash as a soil amendment in the past four years. Covanta will be moving the ash as part of a settlement with the DA’s office.