Meetings Slated : Backers of Pipeline Vow to Hear Gripes

Supporters of a proposed oil pipeline, responding to complaints that they had not given adequate notice of a plan for an alternate route that would cut through the heart of the San Fernando Valley, said Wednesday night that monthly meetings will be scheduled to “listen to the gripes and suggestions” of residents and public officials.

The planned pipeline, designed to carry crude oil from the coast of Santa Barbara County to refineries in southern Los Angeles County, is now being reviewed for its effects on the environment.

The 30-inch, 130-mile pipeline, which would be operated by Atlantic Richfield Co., Chevron Corp., Shell Oil Co., and Texaco Inc., would follow one of two proposed routes once it enters the Valley in the Sylmar area.

The route favored by the oil companies would travel through the East Valley near the Foothill Freeway, then south on Glenoaks Boulevard through Burbank. An alternate route would take it through Northridge, Reseda, Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks, heading south on Balboa Boulevard, east on Victory Boulevard and then south again on Sepulveda Boulevard.

At a meeting at Monroe High School in Sepulveda, T. W. Shettler, environmental and permit manager for the project, assured an audience of about 70 that “we’re just beginning to take a hard look at what route would be more effective and all your considerations will be noted.”

Last month, Rob Glushon, president of the Los Angeles Environmental Quality Board, said he was unaware of the alternate route for the pipeline because the consortium of four oil companies that would operate it had not informed him or others.

At Wednesday’s meeting, several Valley residents complained that the pipeline would cause traffic disruptions, could bring oil leaks and would generally inconvenience residences and businesses.

Ken Steele, deputy director of special projects for the California Department of Transportation, said monthly meetings will be scheduled to keep residents abreast of pipeline developments and hear complaints and concerns.

“We’ll listen to the gripes and suggestions of everyone,” Steele said.