Pierce College Hits Pay Dirt With Deal : Amid Financial Crisis, the Decision to Accept Warner Ridge Soil Was a Wise Move

You could say that Pierce College has got the dirt on Warner Ridge. For that reason, the Woodland Hills school can restore some of the 130 classes it cut from last semester’s course book because of severe fiscal problems. That is good news for at least one of the four San Fernando Valley community colleges that began their fall semesters last week.

We are referring to Pierce’s recent decision to make up for a $1.3-million budget shortfall by accepting the dirt--about 425,000 cubic yards of it--that will be excavated from the Warner Ridge development site in Woodland Hills. Simply put, the dirt had to go somewhere and Pierce was right to take advantage, although many disagree. Pierce will be paid $2.1 million in the process.

That decision was denounced by environmentalists and agriculturists, and by neighbors of the college and those who love to visit its farm. It was also opposed by neighbors of Warner Ridge who fought the development plan there for years and were anxious for an opportunity to slow it down or scuttle it outright. Opponents claimed that the dirt would ruin the college’s 220-acre farm, result in too much noise and dust, and destroy a winter habitat for Canadian geese.

Fortunately, however, the Los Angeles Community College District trustees saw the plan as an eminently sensible way to help Pierce deal with its continuing budget problems. The trustees gave their unanimous approval to the dirt deal, arguing that it will cause only a temporary increase in noise and dust and will not permanently harm the surrounding area.

Moreover, the land affected involves just 42 acres. Topsoil will be removed and replaced once the Warner Ridge dirt has been moved in, and then the parcel will be reseeded and replanted.

Some of the other ideas that the college has considered to raise money might not make as much sense. The Warner Ridge deal, however, figures to pay immediate dividends that will help ease the school through the worst fiscal crisis in its history.