SUNSHINE CLOSURE CONTESTED LABONGE SAYS CITY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE LANDFILL.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Citing the fiscal crisis facing local government, a Los Angeles official raised new arguments Friday on why Sunshine Canyon Landfill should remain in use beyond 2006.

Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district spans Hollywood and North Hollywood, called for a report in 30 days on the trash-disposal costs Los Angeles would face if the Granada Hills facility were no longer available. The city plans to stop sending residential trash to Sunshine Canyon in 2006.

``All I'm saying is that we ought to have the numbers on what the cost really is if we are going to not allow Los Angeles trash to be dumped there,'' LaBonge said. ``All of us have to live near some sort of nuisance, but we have to balance the costs at a time when the city is facing such a severe financial problem.

``We are talking about layoffs. We're talking about not paving streets and cutting back other services,'' he said. ``It seems to me we need to look at wherever we can save money.''

The City Council this week authorized $47 million in spending cuts, including the elimination of street repair on 84 miles of streets.

Also, in another sign of the city's financial problems, officials are looking at reopening negotiations with city unions and warning of the possibility of employee layoffs.

LaBonge's remarks and proposal drew an immediate and angry outburst from those opposed to continuing the landfill's operation.

Mayor James Hahn, who had pledged during his campaign and followed through on efforts to close the landfill, said he would oppose any effort to keep the landfill open.

``The mayor made a pledge to the people of Granada Hills and he intends to live by it,'' spokeswoman Julie Wong said. ``He is opposed to having any urban landfills.''

Councilman Greig Smith, who represents the area where the landfill wants to expand into the city, also denounced the proposal. A water permit is the final major hurdle before Browning Ferris Industries, the dump's operator, can expand the site into Granada Hills.

``This is untimely and unfortunate,'' Smith said, arguing that the state Regional Water Quality Control Board will soon come to a decision on the water permit and that the city is about to receive bids from firms to accept the city's trash.

``I have been working with the mayor and we are planning to come up with some proposals in a couple of weeks that would serve as an alternative to Sunshine Canyon,'' Smith said. ``What Mr. LaBonge is proposing is nothing but a waste of time.''

LaBonge said the city can expect to pay more in tipping fees - going from $22 a ton to more than $43 a ton - as well as the expense of building transfer stations around the city.

Also, he said, Sunshine Canyon will continue to operate and take in trash from other jurisdictions even if Los Angeles stops its dumping at the facility.

``It seems to me, at this time, we should look to save money where we can,'' LaBonge said.

The councilman said he understands the opposition to the landfill and would like to see the city become more involved in developing trash- to-energy facilities.

``If I had my way, I'd send anyone who opposes this to Europe to see how they can co-exist in neighborhoods,'' LaBonge said.

Wayde Hunter, head of the North Valley Coalition that has been fighting the landfill for decades, said he was disappointed in the LaBonge proposal.

``It just looks like somebody's playing games here,'' Hunter said. ``Now, they're using the city budget as an argument to try to keep Sunshine Canyon open. It makes us very suspicious on whether the city is sincere (about) closing down urban landfills.''

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com