A state board has upheld a San Diego County decision to accept a permit application to operate a landfill in Gregory Canyon near Pala.

Developer Gregory Canyon Ltd. applied for a solid waste facility permit earlier this year, and the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health recommended approval of the permit last month. The California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is expected to decided on the county's recommendation by July 13.

The permit is just one step in the plan to build the landfill, which still must undergo environmental reviews from state and federal agencies.
The Pala Band of Mission Indians appealed the permit application, arguing that it was incomplete and based on outdated information.

The appeal was heard by CalRecycle last week. On Monday, project manager Jim Simmons of Gregory Canyon Ltd. said the decision is "one more affirmation" that the projects meets and exceeds all environmental requirements.