There were more protests last weekend near the Calabasas Landfill where officials have been discarding debris from the Pacific Palisades fire. But as demonstrations and legal challenges chug along, the dumping continues.
The Calabasas Landfill is one of several in L.A. County that are equipped to accept fire debris. Phase One debris, which included hazardous household materials, was transported to designated facilities elsewhere. But the county-owned landfill has been receiving refuse from Phase Two, which includes wood and ash.
The county has assured the public that the current transfers do not pose a significant risk to health and safety. Residents and city leaders are skeptical. They’ve been trying to keep the material out of the landfill, which is located near thousands of homes and three schools: Lupin Hills Elementary, Montessori of Malibu, and Ilan Ramon Day School.
The City of Calabasas has sued to stop the transfers, but a hearing won’t take place for several more weeks. May 2 is the hearing on the county’s demurrer (objection) to the lawsuit. The deadline for the city to file a motion for a preliminary injunction is June 2. A hearing would then take place on June 27. The city’s request for a temporary restraining order was denied last month.
Obviously, the waste has to go somewhere. Calabasas city officials and residents think the debris should be transported to a less populated area. Debris that does come into the Calabasas Landfill should at least be tested, they say.
Prominent celebrities like the Kardashians have brought public attention to the concerns in Agoura Hills and Calabasas. But the Calabasas Landfill isn’t the only site receiving material from the fires. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors extended capacity limits at the Lancaster Landfill and the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar, so that they can accept increased volumes of fire debris as well.
As legal battles continue, residents are left waiting for answers and fearing for the future.
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