City Fights Bid to Ease Sunshine Landfill Rules

Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo filed a petition Wednesday calling for state water regulators to reject a request by Sunshine Canyon Landfill’s operator to remove two provisions in its permit to expand into Granada Hills.

The two provisions were included in a permit awarded to Allied Waste Industries, formerly Browning-Ferris Industries, to develop a 450-acre landfill within city limits that was approved by a regional water board Dec. 4.

One provision calls for the installation of a double liner to prevent contaminants from seeping into groundwater. The other would allow regulators to review, amend or revoke the permit if the expanded landfill were deemed a public health hazard.

“The proposed double liner is necessary to protect the groundwater for the children and families of the north San Fernando Valley for generations to come,” Delgadillo said.

Company executives said that two liners would add $15 million to the cost of the project and that federal law requires only one liner. They also assert that there is no scientific evidence to support opponents’ claims that an expanded landfill poses a health risk to residents.

The landfill currently occupies 1,100 acres in unincorporated territory.

Delgadillo filed the petition with the California State Water Resources Control Board. The mayor and the City Council previously asked the board to uphold the stricter provisions.