The American Avenue landfill in Fresno County, photo via fresnocountyca.gov

Dozens of Central Valley residents are planning to gather in Fresno to voice their opposition to a plan to expand dumping they say will bring dangerous waste to the region.

On March 20, residents and environmental justice advocates plan to protest on the steps of Fresno City Hall against a proposed expansion of hazardous waste dumping that could permit city landfills to take more contaminated soil.

The state Board of Environmental Safety is hosting a series of hearings across the state about the proposal. Two days of hearings at Fresno City Hall are scheduled for March 19-20. A hearing is scheduled in Berkeley on April 24 and Los Angeles May 15.

A vote is scheduled for July 15-16.

The Wednesday’s hearing begins at 12:30 p.m. The protest will take place at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday. The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. that day.

The advocates are calling for the Department of Toxic Substances Control to halt its plan without conducting adequate environmental and health studies or consulting impacted communities.

According to a news release from the California Environmental Justice Coalition, the plan threatens air and water quality, public health, and community safety, especially in in communities already burdened by pollution.

State officials say revising the rules would reduce the impact from transportation and related emissions. The hearings come as the hazardous waste associated with the Los Angeles wildfires are at the top of public consciousness.

Scheduled speakers at the rally and press conference include Healthy Environment for All Lives Executive Director Veronica Aguirre, Greenaction For Health and Environmental Justice Executive Director Bradley Angel, and Central California Environmental Justice Network Nayamin Martinez.