Vigilance Has Paid Off

It would be easy--and understandable--for Granada Hills residents who have long fought expansion of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill to believe all their hard work has been for nought. A Los Angeles City Council committee last week put the final touches on a proposal by Browning-Ferris Industries to expand the north San Fernando Valley dump, with none of the major modifications requested by homeowners. The proposal now heads to the full council, where it is expected to win approval.

But the Planning and Land Use Management Committee did agree to minor modifications, 50 in all. More trees will be planted on the site, for example, and more cover will be spread over the fill if an odor problem develops. Bilingual signs that hazardous waste is not allowed will be placed on the property.

These may sound like paltry victories to residents whose homes lie within half a mile of the dump’s boundaries. But too often environmental battles are seen in either-or terms: Win or lose, good or evil. The reality is that no one wants to live near landfills, but we need to put them somewhere. The North Valley Coalition’s vigilance over the years has prodded Browning-Ferris to be a good neighbor, as far as garbage dumps go. Continued pressure has won at least some concessions. And continuing citizen involvement will be necessary to make sure that the firm, and the city, live up to their agreement.