Local News in Brief : Landfill Operator Told to Control Dust Better

The South Coast Air Quality Management District ordered a waste handler to tighten dust-control measures at the Sunshine Canyon landfill in Granada Hills, the district announced Thursday.

The order stemmed from a June 26 incident in which dust blew from the landfill to houses in the surrounding neighborhood. The district cited Browning-Ferris Industries, which operates the landfill, for creating a public nuisance and for failing to take reasonable steps to stop the dust from blowing.

The agency’s investigation discovered that a landfill worker assigned to monitor and control the dust emissions left the landfill for several hours the afternoon of the incident, the district said.

In a negotiated settlement in lieu of a fine, the district will require Browning-Ferris to keep a log noting wind speeds and directions, operate at least three water-sprinkler trucks to keep the dust damp and improve a water-supply system to reduce the time needed to fill the sprinkler trucks.

The district also is requiring that nontoxic sealants be sprayed on landfill areas not being used and on all other areas if the landfill is to be closed for a day.