Orange Sues County Over Methane Gas at Closed Park

The city of Orange has filed suit against Orange County, saying the county should have to pay for the installation of a system to control underground methane gas at the now-closed Yorba Park.

From 1957 to 1960, the county used the 9.3 acres as a landfill. In 1962, the county turned over the site to the city--which converted it into a park.

In its lawsuit filed last week, the city says the county violated an agreement by not installing the gas control system.

The city says it learned of the problem in 1998 and that methane gas is potentially injurious to the public.

The suit also claims that the county has diverted funds from the Waste Management Enterprise Fund.

The suit says fees for use of the county’s waste disposal system are supposed to be deposited into the fund.

The suit also says the county has refused to account for the money when the city asked about it.

Neither side could be reached for comment Saturday.