TRIB plans to go public with waste manifest info

Sept. 2, 2003

Having been stonewalled by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB) plans to open its files on the board's controversial waste management program to California and national media.

"I am disappointed at the lack of response by the CIWMB staff to our continued efforts to obtain relief for California retreaders, and the refusal to even enter into a continued dialogue with us," TRIB Managing Director Harvey Brodsky recently wrote to CIWMB officials.

Under the CIWMB law, which went into effect July 1, California retreaders may be subject to fines of up to $25,000 a day per violation for "offenses" as minor as filling out waste tire manifest forms improperly or carrying manifest forms that another party filled out improperly.

Brodsky will make "one last attempt" to discuss the matter with CIWMB officials on a face-to-face basis today at the Waste Tire Management Conference in Sacramento, Calif.

"Our intention to turn our files over to the media is not meant as a threat," he says.

However, he believes that media outlets will find the information "an interesting example of the unresponsiveness and anti-business posture of a state agency."

Several weeks ago, Brodsky also informed CIWMB that it is investigating the possibility of legal action to help exempt retreaders from the "draconian" standard.