Sunshine Canyon Landfill Expansion Halted After 4 Days

Just four days after it began, expansion of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill was brought to a halt Monday when a judge ordered the dump’s operator to stop work on the project.

In a two-page ruling, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Diane Wayne told Browning Ferris Industries Inc. to stop cutting down more than 2,800 oak trees--the first work being done at the site--as the company readies a wooded canyon north of Granada Hills for use as a garbage dump.

Wayne’s order, which stems from a lawsuit filed by opponents trying to stop the project, came just four days after Browning Ferris was granted permission to start work on the first phase of a 17-million-ton expansion of the dump.

The judge will decide July 12 whether to make Monday’s order permanent and reinstate a 1991 stay that was lifted this month. Until then, Browning Ferris spokesman Arnie Berghoff said, “we will abide by the law.”

“But we think the lawsuit is literally without merit,” he added. “The judge issued the restraining order because she really hadn’t had a chance to look at the issues. We think she will lift it.”

Berghoff did not know how many trees crews had removed before work stopped midday Monday, but opponents said more than half of the 2,850 oaks have been destroyed.

“It’s pretty vicious,” said Rosemary Woodlock, an attorney for the North Valley Coalition of Concerned Citizens, which has pressed a variety of legal challenges against Browning Ferris.

Dump opponents protested Friday and Saturday outside the gates of the facility, portions of which are in the city of Los Angeles. Only the county area would be expanded; city officials oppose the dump expansion.

Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson said the city will try to enforce an order barring Browning Ferris crews from using a small road to the dump. City officials argue that Browning Ferris needs a city permit for heavy equipment to use the road.

Violating the order would be a misdemeanor.

“If they don’t obey the law, then somebody will make an arrest and make it stick,” Bernson said. “I would hope the city would fully enforce the law.”

The recent skirmishes are part of a decade-long fight over the landfill between city and county officials as well as between environmentalists and Browning Ferris.