🛑 Local & State Government Officials

These officials have direct influence over land use, environmental regulations, and emergency response policies in Topanga.

1. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (They oversee unincorporated areas like Topanga.)

📍 District 3 Supervisor: Lindsey Horvath (Represents Topanga & Malibu)
📧 Email: ThirdDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov

Maria Chong Castillo: MCCastillo@bos.lacounty.gov

Dylan Sittig: dsittig@bos.lacounty.gov
đź“ž Phone: (213) 974-3333
đź“Ť Field Office (Malibu/Topanga): (310) 231-1170

2. California State Assembly & Senate (They influence state environmental policies & emergency waivers.)

đź“Ť State Senator: Ben Allen (District 24 - Malibu, Topanga, Santa Monica)
📧 Email: senator.allen@senate.ca.gov
đź“ž Phone: (310) 318-6994

đź“Ť State Assemblymember: Jacqui Irwin (District 42 - Western LA County)
📧 Email: assemblymember.irwin@assembly.ca.gov
đź“ž Phone: (805) 370-0542

3. California Governor’s Office (Governor has power to halt emergency waivers for hazardous waste storage.)

đź“Ť Governor Gavin Newsom
📧 Email: governor@gov.ca.gov
đź“ž Phone: (916) 445-2841

đź“Ť California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
📧 Email: info@calepa.ca.gov
đź“ž Phone: (916) 323-2514

Cal EPA: Yana Garcia - 916-323-2514

đź“Ť California Coastal Commission (Oversees coastal land use decisions)
📧 Email: info@coastal.ca.gov
đź“ž Phone: (415) 904-5200

CA state parks

Barbara Tejada, Supervisor, Cultural Resources Program, Angeles District, California State Parks, 1925 Las Virgenes Road,  Calabasas, CA 91302, 310-699-1703 (cell)

Coastal Commision

Johnston, Heather

(805) 585-1800

Lee, Cameron

Enforcement Officer

(805) 585-1807

Rivas, Carlo

Enforcement Officer

(805) 585-1800

🏛️ Federal Officials (Congress & Senate)

4. U.S. Congress (Can put federal pressure on EPA & Army Corps of Engineers)

đź“Ť U.S. Representative: Brad Sherman (District 32 - Represents Topanga)
📧 Email: Contact via website: https://sherman.house.gov
đź“ž Phone: (202) 225-5911

đź“Ť U.S. Senator: Alex Padilla (California)
📧 Email: Contact via website: https://www.padilla.senate.gov
đź“ž Phone: (202) 224-3553

đź“Ť U.S. Senator: Laphonza Butler (California)
📧 Email: Contact via website: https://www.butler.senate.gov
đź“ž Phone: (202) 224-3841

📍 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 (Oversees California’s hazardous waste management)
📧 Email: r9.info@epa.gov
đź“ž Phone: (415) 947-8000

🌿 Environmental & Indigenous Organizations (Can provide legal, scientific, and activist support.)

5. Local Environmental & Legal Groups

đź“Ť Surfrider Foundation (Los Angeles Chapter - Protects coastlines from pollution & development)
📧 Email: losangeles@surfrider.org
đź“ž Phone: (949) 492-8170

đź“Ť Heal the Bay (Focuses on protecting Santa Monica Bay & coastal waters)
📧 Email: info@healthebay.org
đź“ž Phone: (310) 451-1500

đź“Ť Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) - California Office
📧 Email: info@nrdc.org
đź“ž Phone: (310) 434-2300

đź“Ť Earthjustice (Provides legal representation for environmental cases)
📧 Email: info@earthjustice.org
đź“ž Phone: (415) 217-2000

6. Indigenous Tribal Organizations (Sacred Land Protection)

đź“Ť Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe (Cultural heritage & land rights advocacy)
📧 Email: info@gabrielinotribe.org
đź“ž Phone: (626) 286-1632

đź“Ť Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC - State Agency overseeing Indigenous land protections)
📧 Email: nahc@nahc.ca.gov
đź“ž Phone: (916) 373-3710

đź“° Media & Journalists (To expose this issue & gain public support.)

7. Local & National Media Contacts

đź“Ť Los Angeles Times (Environmental Desk)
📧 Email: environment@latimes.com
đź“ž Phone: (213) 237-5000

đź“Ť The Malibu Times (Local newspaper covering Topanga & Malibu issues)
📧 Email: editor@malibutimes.com
đź“ž Phone: (310) 456-5507

đź“Ť LAist (NPR Los Angeles affiliate - Covers environmental justice issues)
📧 Email: news@laist.com
đź“ž Phone: (626) 583-5283

đź“Ť ABC7 Los Angeles (Investigative News Desk)
📧 Email: abc7.community@abc.com
đź“ž Phone: (818) 863-7777

đź“Ť CBS News Los Angeles (Environmental Reporting Team)
📧 Email: investigates@cbs.com
đź“ž Phone: (323) 467-5555

đź“Ť NBC4 Los Angeles (I-Team Investigations)
📧 Email: itip@nbcla.com
đź“ž Phone: (818) 840-4444

đź“Ť KPCC/LAist (Public radio station covering environmental issues)
📧 Email: news@scpr.org
đź“ž Phone: (626) 583-5100

Sample Letter to government leaders

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing as a concerned resident of Topanga and a citizen of Los Angeles County to demand an immediate halt to the proposed plan to store toxic waste at the Topanga Ranch Motel site—a California State Park and sacred Indigenous land.

This decision is reckless, dangerous, and politically motivated, putting our environment, safety, and community at risk while favoring wealthy, well-connected developers like Rick Caruso and the Palisades elite. Malibu and the Palisades have conveniently dodged this toxic burden—while working-class, middle-class, and Indigenous communities in Topanga are left to suffer.

This is not just an environmental issue—it is a blatant example of corruption, wealth inequality, and backroom deals that prioritize the rich while endangering thousands of people.

Why This Plan is Unacceptable:

1. Environmental Catastrophe Waiting to Happen

Topanga Creek feeds directly into the Pacific Ocean—one of the most sensitive ecosystems in California. Storing toxic waste here guarantees contamination through runoff and soil absorption.

  • EPA studies confirm that hazardous waste stored on unprotected ground leaches into waterways, poisoning marine life and drinking water.
  • The California Coastal Commission has explicitly stated that coastal areas should NOT be used for hazardous material storage.
  • Safer, more logical alternatives exist—such as Will Rogers State Park’s paved parking lot or Malibu’s Carnival Grounds, neither of which risk poisoning the ocean.

2. Fire Risk & Lack of Evacuation Routes

Unlike wealthy Palisades and Malibu residents, who have been granted exclusive access passes to PCH, Topanga residents are still barricaded inside the canyon. If a fire breaks out, we are trapped.

  • Topanga is designated a "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone" by CAL FIRE.
  • The 2024 Topanga landslide already cut off emergency routes—this toxic dump will make it even worse.
  • Blocking one of our only two evacuation routes is criminal negligence.

At minimum, the County must immediately provide Topanga residents with PCH access passes so that we are not abandoned in yet another disaster.

3. Highway 27 is NOT a Safe Route for Hazardous Waste Transport

We have been given verbal assurances that toxic waste trucks will not use Topanga Canyon Blvd (Hwy 27)—but there is zero written confirmation.

Why Hwy 27 is a disaster waiting to happen:

  • The S-Curve on Hwy 27 is one of the most dangerous stretches of road in LA County (frequent accidents, mudslides, rockslides).
  • Trucks leaving the Topanga Ranch Motel site must make a LEFT TURN onto high-speed traffic—a dangerous and deadly maneuver.
  • At Will Rogers, trucks could safely turn RIGHT at a traffic signal—an obvious and much safer alternative.
  • Topanga has nearly 13,000 residents and active businesses relying on Hwy 27—unlike Temescal and Will Rogers, where traffic has dramatically decreased due to the fires.

4. Rushed Cleanup = Guaranteed Accidents & Deadly Consequences

The 30-day EPA deadline forces workers to move toxic waste at an unsafe pace—guaranteeing spills, exposure, and long-term environmental devastation.

  • GAO reports confirm that rushed hazardous waste removals lead to spills, mismanagement, and exposure risks.
  • This site is directly across from a gas station. National Fire Protection studies confirm that hazardous materials near fuel sources dramatically increase explosion risks—this is literally a recipe for disaster.
  • The 2013 West, Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion is a tragic example of how lax hazardous waste storage near combustible materials can lead to mass casualties.

5. Indigenous Sacred Land is Being Disrespected & Desecrated

This site is sacred to the Tongva and Gabrielino tribes—yet federal emergency waivers appear to be overriding cultural protection laws.

  • The Native American Heritage Commission recognizes this site as culturally significant.
  • Federal laws (NAGPRA, NHPA) explicitly forbid desecration of Indigenous lands—why is this being ignored?
  • The State of California must step in to stop this environmental and cultural violation.

6. Corruption & Wealth Inequality are Driving This Decision

Let’s be honest: If this toxic dump were proposed in the Palisades or Malibu, it would have been shut down IMMEDIATELY.

  • working-class and middle-class communities.
  • Malibu and Palisades residents have been given PCH access—Topanga has not. Why? Because the rich protect each other while leaving the rest of us to suffer.
  • This is environmental class warfare.

What We Demand:

  1. IMMEDIATELY remove Topanga Beach from consideration as a toxic waste site.
  2. Provide PCH access passes to Topanga residents.
  3. Commit in writing that toxic waste trucks will NOT use Hwy 27.
  4. Conduct a full environmental review and follow Indigenous cultural protection laws.

We Will Not Be Silent. We Will Fight Back.

This is our home, our safety, and our environment at stake. We refuse to be ignored, silenced, or sacrificed for the convenience of the wealthy.

If this project moves forward, we will take legal action, organize protests, and expose the corruption driving this decision.

We demand immediate action.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]

Sample to Environmental and Indigenous Populations

SUBJECT: Urgent: Stop Toxic Waste Storage at Topanga Beach – Protect Sacred Land & Coastal Waters

Dear [Organization Name],

I am reaching out on behalf of the residents of Topanga and concerned citizens of Los Angeles County to seek your urgent support in stopping the proposed toxic waste storage site at the Topanga Ranch Motel site—a California State Park, sacred Indigenous land, and critical coastal ecosystem.

This decision violates Indigenous cultural protections, threatens public safety, and endangers marine life. We need the support of environmental and Indigenous rights organizations to ensure that this site is removed from consideration immediately.

Why This Plan Must Be Stopped:

1. Environmental Destruction: Coastal Waters & Wildlife at Risk

The Topanga Ranch Motel site sits adjacent to Topanga Creek, which flows directly into the Pacific Ocean. Any toxic waste stored here risks contaminating the watershed and marine ecosystem.

  • EPA research confirms that hazardous waste stored on unprotected ground leaches into waterways, leading to long-term groundwater and ocean pollution.
  • The California Coastal Commission opposes hazardous material storage in coastal zones due to high contamination risks.
  • Safer alternatives exist: Will Rogers State Park (which has a concrete lot) or Malibu’s Carnival Grounds (a designated event space) pose far lower environmental risks.

The Santa Monica Bay is already struggling with pollution and habitat destruction. Allowing toxic waste storage in this location would only further devastate marine life, water quality, and protected coastal areas.

2. Violation of Indigenous Cultural and Sacred Land Protections

The Topanga Ranch Motel site is sacred land to the Tongva and Gabrielino peoples, yet emergency federal waivers appear to be bypassing legal protections for Indigenous sites.

  • The California Native American Heritage Commission recognizes this area as culturally significant.
  • Federal laws such as the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) prohibit desecration of Indigenous lands—yet this site is still under consideration.
  • Indigenous communities have long been excluded from decision-making processes on land use in Los Angeles County. We need to amplify their voices and demand legal protections be enforced.

We urge Indigenous-led organizations to call for an immediate halt to this plan and demand meaningful consultation with Tribal representatives.

3. Fire Risk & Lack of Emergency Access for Topanga Residents

This site is located at one of only two evacuation routes for Topanga Canyon, a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

  • The 2024 Topanga landslide already cut off emergency access, isolating thousands of residents.
  • This plan places hazardous waste storage at a choke point in a wildfire-prone area, blocking essential escape routes.
  • Meanwhile, wealthier communities in Malibu and the Palisades have been granted PCH access passes, while Topanga residents have not.

This is an issue of environmental injustice—communities without political and financial influence should not be forced to bear the brunt of poor land-use decisions.

4. Reckless Waste Transport on a Dangerous Route

Despite verbal assurances that Hwy 27 (Topanga Canyon Blvd) will not be used for toxic waste transport, there is no written confirmation.

  • This stretch of highway is one of the most dangerous in LA County, with frequent accidents, mudslides, and rockslides—posing severe risks if toxic waste is spilled.
  • Safer transport routes exist—Will Rogers State Park, for example, provides a signalized intersection with a right-hand turn onto PCH, significantly reducing accident risk.

We need nonprofits and advocacy groups to push for transparency and accountability in decision-making regarding hazardous waste transport routes.

5. Rushed Cleanup = High Risk of Accidents & Environmental Disaster

The 30-day federal deadline for hazardous waste removal prioritizes speed over safety. Studies show that rushed cleanup efforts lead to spills, exposure, and contamination.

  • The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirms that rushed hazardous waste removal leads to mismanagement and exposure risks.
  • This site is directly across from a gas station—posing an explosion risk in the event of an accident or chemical reaction.

We need environmental law organizations to demand a full environmental impact review before any waste storage plan moves forward.

What We Urgently Need from You:

We are calling on environmental and Indigenous rights organizations to:

  • Issue a formal statement opposing the use of the Topanga Ranch Motel site for toxic waste storage.
  • Call on the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) and Tribal representatives to demand enforcement of cultural protection laws.
  • Urge the California Coastal Commission to block hazardous waste storage in this fragile ecosystem.
  •  Advocate for alternative locations such as Will Rogers State Park or Malibu Carnival Grounds, which pose significantly lower environmental and public safety risks.
  •  Pressure LA County officials to grant PCH access passes to Topanga residents, ensuring equal emergency evacuation rights.

We cannot allow political convenience and lack of oversight to determine the future of our coastline, Indigenous heritage, and community safety.

Time is Running Out—We Need Action Now.

We urge you to publicly oppose this plan, mobilize your network, and demand that officials immediately remove Topanga Beach from consideration.

Please let us know how we can collaborate to stop this project before irreversible damage is done.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]

Sample letter for news sources

URGENT: LA County Turning Topanga Beach into a Toxic Dump!

BREAKING: LA, State, and Federal officials are quietly planning to store toxic waste at Topanga Beach, right next to the ocean & across from a gas station. Meanwhile, Malibu & Palisades elites get a free pass.

Wildfire Risk: This site blocks one of only two evacuation routes for Topanga—residents could be trapped in a fire.

Environmental Disaster: Toxic waste will leach into Topanga Creek & poison the ocean.

Corruption: Malibu & Palisades refuse to utilize their land as a site—so they’re dumping it on us.

Media, we need you here NOW! Residents, Indigenous groups & environmental orgs are fighting back.

Help spread the word & stop this before it’s too late!

#SaveTopanga #NoToxicDump #EnvironmentalJustice #ProtectOurCoast #LApolitics #Corruption #WildfireRisk