Legislative Panel May Study Possible Risks From Landfill

The decision to expand the Sunshine Canyon Landfill into Granada Hills should be investigated, the chairman of a legislative committee recommended Tuesday.

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee today will consider the recommendation by its chairman and staff that an inquiry be conducted into possible health and environmental risks.

Assemblyman Scott Wildman (D-Burbank), the panel chairman, said it appears that the city of Los Angeles did not fully consider the possible dangers when it approved expansion of the dump into Granada Hills in December.

The audit should determine whether expanding the landfill conflicts with state goals to recycle more trash, and whether there are alternative sites that would not affect Granada Hills residents, according to the recommendation.

Arnie Berghoff, a lobbyist for Sunshine operator Browning-Ferris Industries, attacked the idea of an audit.

“If Mr. Wildman had read the record and taken time to call the city decision makers, all of his questions would have been answered,” he said.

Wildman held fact-finding hearings while he was in a heated campaign for the 21st Senate District, but he lost last month’s primary election to fellow Democrat Jack Scott. He must leave office because of term limits when his term expires at the end of the year.