MONTEREY PARK : Ruling Could Make Cities Help Clean Up Toxic Site
In a ruling that could force 14 cities to help pay for part of the estimated $500-million cleanup at a Monterey Park landfill, U.S. District Judge William M. Byrne Jr. concluded Tuesday that the cities were the owners of trash taken to the dump.
A consortium of 65 corporations, including many of America’s biggest companies, contend that the cities, all in Los Angeles County, helped contribute to the toxic mess at the now-closed Operating Industries dump. The companies have committed $164 million to help finance the cleanup and want to be reimbursed.
The judge’s ruling was made on a narrow point of law concerning the liability of those who own hazardous waste and arrange for its disposal. The cities, including Alhambra, Compton and South Pasadena, maintain that they did not own the trash.
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