Position Premature on Landfill Agreement

* In response to an article appearing in the Valley Commentary Section of your newspaper on Nov. 27, from George Pederson, then mayor of the city of Santa Clarita, I wish to offer the following information to clarify statements made that I believe are either incorrect or misleading.

First, Pederson states that the Los Angeles County’s trash crisis will be hastened by the approval of the agreement that would remove the city of Los Angeles use restriction from the Sunshine Canyon Landfill Expansion’s Land Use Permit. Contrary to Pederson’s claims, the agreement will expedite the availability of needed disposal capacity by removing current and future city litigation that could further delay the project so that the trash crisis becomes a reality before the landfill is operational. Although this action may be considered by some to relieve the city’s responsibility for utilizing landfill space within its jurisdiction, the county intends to continue with its efforts to encourage the city to assume this responsibility.

Second, the board’s approval of the agreement that authorizes the performance of feasibility studies and preliminary design of a freeway interchange to provide access to the proposed Elsmere Canyon Landfill in no way constitutes or implies any current county approval of the construction of the interchange or the landfill. The willingness of BKK Corp., the project applicant, to finance the cost of these studies does not in any way obligate the Board of Supervisors to approve the landfill project. The county’s interest in approving this agreement stems from the realization that the environmental review, design, and construction of the interchange project would in itself be an extremely lengthy process, which would take years to complete. By approving this interchange agreement, the Board of Supervisors is avoiding potentially costly delays in the development of the project should the landfill’s proponent demonstrate that the site is environmentally sound and technically feasible.

Third, Pederson’s concerns on the impact of the Elsmere Landfill on wildlife and ground-water supplies will be addressed on the project’s environmental impact report. I believe it is premature to take a position prior to completion of the environmental impact report.

HARRY W. STONE

Director of Public Works

Los Angeles