We would like to thank all of you for coming out to so many meetings of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region. At the December 4, 2003 meeting, the Board voted 4 to 2 to approve the "dump's" expansion back into the City.
Historically, the Board has never denied a permit to any landfill, however, given the testimony by the public, City officials, and politicians representing the San Fernando Valley, they did not appear comfortable approving BFI’s Waste Discharge Permit. BFI has been required to install a double composite liner; a far cry from the 2-feet of clay and 60-mil liner they had proposed, and a step up from the 4-feet of clay and 80-mil liner proposed by the Board’s staff.
Additionally, the Board required that the health studies, the results of testing by Councilman Smith’s office be brought back before the Board to review, amend or possibly revoke the permit if there is sufficient evidence that the landfill poses a risk to public water quality. The NVC has filed an appeal with the State Water Resources Board to the decision to approve the expansion. BFI also filed an appeal but only because they don't want to spend the money for a double liner, and because they are afraid the reopener clauses might expose them to other requirements or closure
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