BREA : Citizens Win Input Into Landfill Pact

The City Council this week acceded to citizens’ demands to include the public’s concerns in an agreement with the county over the expansion of the Olinda Landfill.

Last month, in anticipation that the Board of Supervisors would approve the dump expansion, city officials drew up a list of demands aimed at addressing environmental and other potential problems. Residents complained that they had not been heard and asked that the city include their concerns in the list of demands, but initially were rebuffed.

On Tuesday, the council changed its mind, agreeing to draft another document to include citizens’ complaints.

“I think some serious questions were raised,” Councilman Glenn G. Parker said.

One of the most significant demands to be included is a request that the county order the landfill closed seven years earlier than currently proposed if the landfill is expanded. If the county agrees, the dump would close in 2013 instead of 2020. Residents have said that request would eliminate the need for “borrow sites,” taking dirt from other areas to cover up the garbage.

The city has also asked that there be no expansion to the east, which they said could jeopardize Chino Hills State Park. They also requested further study of ground-water leakage.

Citizens, who lashed out at city officials last month for not giving them a chance to get their concerns on the record, thanked the council Tuesday. Nancy Wright, vice president of Olinda Village Homeowners Assn., said they felt relieved.

The project will be considered next week by the County Board of Supervisors as one of four options to solve the county’s growing garbage dilemma. The expansion of the Olinda Landfill will be recommended by county staff as the preferred plan because it is the least expensive.