COUNCIL TAKES AIM AT LANDFILLS CITY TO INVESTIGATE RADIATION REPORTS.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council launched strikes Tuesday against two San Fernando Valley landfills, asking city officials to investigate reports of radioactive waste being dumped at Bradley Landfill in Sun Valley and study alternatives to expanding Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Granada Hills.

The council also went on record in support of state legislation to strengthen restrictions on the dumping of radioactive waste in landfills statewide.

As the Daily News reported Friday, low-level radioactive waste from Rocketdyne's Santa Susana Field Laboratory has been dumped at Bradley Landfill for at least a decade without the knowledge of state or local officials. The landfill's operator, Waste Management, also told the council Tuesday it was unaware Rocketdyne was disposing of radioactive materials at Bradley.

The council asked the city's Department of Environmental Affairs to look into the issue and report back on the extent of the radioactive dumping and its possible health hazards to local residents.

``They cannot contaminate our health,'' said Councilman Nate Holden. ``We should let them know our young children who are most likely to be affected by this nuclear waste must be protected.''

State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Rosemead, told the council she has proposed a bill ordering the state Department of Health Services to impose more strict standards and more disclosure of the dumping of radioactive waste. The council decided unanimously to support her bill.

``This really is a statewide issue, and Los Angeles is taking the lead by having this motion brought forward,'' Romero said. ``You are to my knowledge the first city in California to address this issue.''

The council also asked city officials to look into alternatives to expanding Sunshine Canyon Landfill, which the council approved last year.

``This measure barely passed the old City Council,'' said Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents the communities near the dump. ``This is the new City Council, with a different look toward environmental health issues. We need to act now.''

Mayor James Hahn also recently temporarily blocked a key permit needed for Browning Ferris Industries to expand its operations at Sunshine Canyon.