Dog Training, Recycling Sites Get Permits
By Jenny Shearer, The Bakersfield Californian
Dec. 14–Permits to operate a public recycling drop-off site in the northeast and a field dog training site in Wasco were approved Thursday by the Kern County Planning Commission.
The recycling site is at 8331 Kern Canyon Road, between Morning Drive and Shalane Avenue, according to a planning department staff report. The site would be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
Nearby property owner Hal Aarontold the commissioners he was concerned his vacant land would attract debris that people might mistakenly bring to the site for recycling, including furniture, which would then be discarded on his land. Applicant Anibal Martinez said he runs a clean facility.
Retriever dog and field training events may be held for 10 years on 1,185 acres at 10577 Main Drain Road in Wasco. The site is a waterfowl habitat area. The California Conservation Fund, a nonprofit group formed to preserve and conserve wetland areas, believes limited hunting helps keep waterfowl from becoming overpopulated.
The commission approved a permit to operate a Buddhist retreat center in Tehachapi after its operator agreed to not hold events that would draw large crowds to the rural site on 8400 Juniper Way.
Several years ago, a Buddhist festival drew a large crowd to the site, said Erik Berall, a Zen monk. Berall’s teacher, a famous Korean Zen monk who is now dead, drew many visitors from the Los Angeles area.
But since his teacher’s death and Berall’s tenure ending at the Mountain Spirit Retreat Center, smaller events have been held.
In other business, enforcement proceedings against CALEX Engineering Co., which operates a mine southeast of Tehachapi, were postponed until a February meeting.
Because of personnel issues, the mine operator has not supplied requested reports, said Leonard Mack, a former employee who’s working with the mine owners and the county to bring it into compliance.
A $4,000 or higher fine may be assessed, and the mine could lose its surface mining permit. Reclamation operations are set to begin in early 2008, Mack said.
In its final order of business, a new chair and vice chair were selected. Commissioner Chris Babcock will be the 2008 chair and Ron Sprague will serve as the vice chair.
The commission will next meet Jan. 10.
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