CC- 1989-34 - Supporting Expansion of the BFI Sunshine Canyon LandfillRESOLUTION NO. 89-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED
EXPANSION OF THE BFI SUNSHINE CANYON LANDFILL
WHEREAS, the Rosemead City Council has expressed often its
concern about reduced capacity of available solid waste landfills;
and
WHEREAS, the expansion of existing landfill operations represents
one viable method of addressing the impending solid waste crisis; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of the BFI Sunshine Canyon Landfill would
add substantially to the available landfill capacity in the Los
Angeles area; and
WHEREAS, the Los Angeles County Public Works Department and
County Sanitation District have identified Sunshine Canyon as an
existing landfill site which could be expanded; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of BFI Sunshine Canyon Landfull could
serve to lessen the increasing demand on San Gabriel Valley landfills
by refuse generated outside of the San Gabriel Valley.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Rosemead supports the proposal by BFI to expand the current
landfill site at Sunshine Canyon.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Rosemead will continue to explore alternative proposals aimed at
addressing the solid waste issues which will confront all Southern
California communities in the coming decade.
MAYOR
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No.
89-34 was duly and regularly adopted by the City
Attest: Council of the City of Rosemead at a regular meeting
thereof held on the 11th day of July, 1989, by the
following vote:
titer ~ Yes:- DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Imperial
TY CLERK No::'None Absent: Bruesch Abstain: None
TY CLERK
Honorable Dennis McDonald
May 31, 1989
Page Two
The Commission's decision will be final, unless someone appeals
the matter to the Board of Supervisors.
The proposed Sunshine Canyon Landfill has its share of
challenges. The site is within a Significant Ecological Area,
approximately 9,000 oak trees are proposed to be removed and
BFI's operational history at Sunshine Canyon leaves a lot to be
desired. Issues involving groundwater protection, geology,
traffic, hazardous materials, aesthetics and odors must, of
course, also be addressed.
In summary, the County Public Works Department and the County
Sanitation Districts have identified Sunshine Canyon as an
existing landfill site that could be expanded and I have
indicated my conceptual support for the expansion, subject to
environmental and technical considerations.
The proposed expansion
itself, will not solve
solid waste management
landfills, open new la
items and look for new
century.
of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill, by
our "garbage crisis." To address our
needs, we must expand several existing
idfills, produce less trash, recycle more
"high tech" solutions for the next
I appreciate your comments and suggestions, and I look forward to
receiving your proposed solutions to our "garbage crisis."
Sincerely yours,
PETE SCHABARUM
Supervisor, First District
PS:lmav
•
0 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
856 HALL OF ADMINISTRATION / LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012
(213) 974,4111
PETER F. SCHABARUM
SUPERVISOR. FIRST DISTRICT
May 31, 1989
Hcnorable Dennis McDonald
Mayor, City of Rosemead
8838 East Valley Boulevard
Rosemead, California 91770
Dear Mayor McDonald:
Recently several cities have written to me urging that the Board
of Supervisors approve a conditional use permit for the expansion
of the BFI Sunshine Canyon Landfill.
The proposed expansion of Sunshine Canyon is included in the
County's 1988 Solid Waste Management Action Plan, which I
initiated. For several years I have indicated my conceptual
support of the landfill's expansion, subject, of course, to
appropriate environmental safeguards.
You may also recall that two years ago I made a proposal to the
City of Los Angeles. I offered to support the issuance of land
use permits for the BFI Sunshine Canyon Landfill and the Elsmere
Canyon Landfill (both located in the unincorporated County
territory) if the City of Los Angeles would issue a permit for
the Mission-Rustic-Sullivan Canyons Landfill. This joint program
would provide a 50- to 75-year landfill capacity for the City of
Los Angeles and the northern and western parts of the County. It
would also save the City of Los Angeles more than $30 million a
year in hauling costs, place a reasonable cap on its future
disposal fees and significantly reduce air pollution. The City
has refused to even discuss my proposal. Its attitude is that
for a price, the residents of the San Gabriel Valley will take
Los Angeles' trash; and, if necessary, the State Legislature will
mandate it. And some folks wonder why I believe the City of
Les Angeles lacks even a nominal amount of public responsibility
or leadership!
The Sunshine Canyon Landfill conditional use permit is not
currently before the Board of Supervisors. BFI recently
completed the draft EIR and the document has been circulated for
public review and comment. Once the EIR review is completed, the
conditional use permit request will be scheduled for a public
hearing before the Regional Planning Commission.