Environmental coalitions in Alameda County have been greatly impacted by the ever-changing local, state, and federal policies and regulations. From the Three E's to the Caltrans Bay Area, these organizations have had to adjust their strategies in order to keep up with the new laws and regulations. In this article, we will explore the work of environmental coalitions in Alameda County and how they have been affected by changes in policy and regulation. The Three E's is a program that was created to address illegal dumping of waste.
It is a collaboration between the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, the Environmental Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, and Sanitation & Environment of Los Angeles. This program has helped define law enforcement in the county and has led to the development of camera-based law enforcement strategies to catch and prosecute illegal discharges. The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office has also taken a similar approach. Monique Brackett is a Management Analyst in the Environmental Programs Division of the Residential Waste Section at Los Angeles County Public Works. She has more than 18 years of public health and environmental protection experience working for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
She is actively involved in the development and implementation of environmental compliance and emergency response policies and procedures related to crimes such as illegal dumping. Karen Tandler has worked as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney's Office for 37 years and is currently attached to the Environmental Crimes Division of the Code Enforcement Section. Jim Gordon is an inspector in the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and has 36 years of law enforcement experience. He participates in several organizations that work collaboratively to try to achieve a cleaner environment, such as the California Recycling Control Subcommittee, the Antelope Valley Illegal Dumping Task Force, and the Los Angeles County Illegal Dumping Task Force. Angelina Vergara has been teaching environmental education for more than 25 years as a classroom teacher, environmental educator, school administrator, and director of the StopWaste Schools program. This program serves and collaborates with Alameda County school advocates, co-creating action plans for caring individuals and school communities by encouraging students to act as world citizens, citizen scientists, artists, and agents of systematic change. Amory was passionate about equity and environmental justice during her time as an educator.
She attended San Jose State University for a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies. Alyce joined the Alameda District Attorney's Office in 1989 and prosecuted traditional crimes until 2002 when she was assigned to the office's Environmental and Consumer Protection Division. She is a key member of the Alameda County Illegal Dumping Task Force. The conference began with a keynote address by Alameda County Attorney Nancy O'Malley, a valued partner in the Police Branch of the Three E. Education panelists presented cutting-edge information on the multiple levels of education needed to comprehensively address illegal dumping.
Since 2000, he has collaborated with the 24-county Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) and is also part of the Legislative Working Group of the California Section of the North American Solid Waste Association. Environmental coalitions in Alameda County have had to adjust their strategies over time due to changes in local, state, and federal policies or regulations. From camera-based law enforcement strategies to educational initiatives, these organizations have had to stay up-to-date with new laws in order to continue their work. Through their dedication and hard work, these coalitions are making a positive impact on their communities.
