Spending on a ballot initiative to block a landfill opposed by the Pala Band of Mission Indians in California has hit $2.8 million, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

That is "unprecedented" for a local initiative, said one consultant. The reason? The developers and the tribe have money to spend.

The tribe has poured over $2 million to block the landfilll and says it could spend more. The tribe and its allies say it would harm the environment and contaminate the San Luis Rey River. The dump is located near two sacred sites.

Supporters say they have spent $800,000 but a consultant for the tribe called that figure far too low. The developers of the landfill have spent $20 million over the past decade to get the project off the ground, The Tribune reports.

Get the Story:
Landfill fight in North County a costly proposition (The San Diego Union-Tribune 10/8)
Will L.A.'s waste wind up in San Diego County? (The North County Times 10/8)

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Pala Band's anti-landfill measure taken off ballot (9/6)
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Pala Band's anti-landfill measure placed on ballot (08/04)
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Pala Tribe defends initiative against landfill (6/24)
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California tribe files ballot initiative to stop landfill (05/04)
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