Report Boosts Elsmere Canyon Landfill Plan

A new report by Los Angeles County trash disposal officials suggests that transforming Elsmere Canyon into a 190-million-ton dump should remain among the options being considered for the county’s garbage.

But county officials also announced plans to hold a dozen public meetings to further discuss the controversial landfill and other parts of the report.

The report released Monday by the County Department of Public Works was immediately attacked by opponents of the massive proposed landfill, who charged that county officials failed to consider other waste options and changing circumstances.

“It’s a dinosaur,” said Lynne Plambeck, an ardent anti-dump activist. “How could they spend taxpayer money sending this out?”

The report is only the first step in a state-mandated process aimed at prompting counties in California to plan for trash disposal into the next century. The report will ultimately be submitted to the county Board of Supervisors and state officials.

“[The trash] has got to go someplace,” said Mike Mohajer, an assistant division engineer with the public works department. “It’s an issue that nobody likes.”

Meetings on the report’s suggested options are expected to be held throughout Los Angeles County. Meetings in the northern part of the county are expected to begin at 7 p.m., and are planned for the following locations:

* April 1, Roosevelt Junior High School, 1017 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale.

* April 2, Palmdale Cultural Center, 704 E. Palmdale Blvd.

* April 4, Valencia High School, 27801 North Dickason Drive.

* April 16, James Monroe High School, 9229 Haskell Ave., North Hills.

* April 18, William Taft High School, 5461 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills.

Other meetings are scheduled for Duarte, Los Angeles, West Covina, Whittier, Torrance and Long Beach.