EDITORIAL THE NEIGHBOR'S TRASH THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BECOMES THE SOUTHLAND'S DUMPING GROUNDS.

NOW we know the real purpose for expansion of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill: a dumping ground in the San Fernando Valley for the residents of Santa Clarita.

Santa Clarita officials are considering an offer to give Sunshine Canyon administrator Browning Ferris Industries an exclusive, 20-year contract to manage the city's trash. In return, BFI would give up land it has long been eyeing for a dump in neighboring Elsmere Canyon.

And it would agree to haul Santa Clarita's trash to Sunshine Canyon.

Six years ago, Santa Clarita successfully - and rightfully - fought off BFI's attempt to open a landfill in Elsmere Canyon. But BFI still controls the land, and it has indicated its willingness to sell the property to a competitor. By signing on to BFI's deal, Santa Clarita can put the Elsmere Canyon threat to rest once and for all.

In short, the Santa Clarita City Council can make sure that its residents won't have a landfill in their back yard but in somebody else's.

Compare that with the L.A. City Council, which could have sent the city's trash to the desert far from anybody's back yard, but opted to dump it in the Valley instead.

The residents of Santa Clarita have a City Council that's willing to fight for their interests. We hope the council takes to heart the pleas of the residents of Granada Hills and turns down BFI.

Residents of the Valley, and all of Los Angeles, should take note that whatever decision Santa Clarita makes, it will be one that the council believes is in the best interests of its community.

Compare that with L.A.