LOS ANGELES — Nearly two years into noxious odors coming from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill continuing to affect nearby residents, the Los Angeles County has sued the operators.

The lawsuit alleges the owners and operators of the landfill failed to protect people from the effects of the extreme temperature reaction emitting hazardous gases and toxic leachate. 

The lawsuit also seeks orders for the landfill to relocate nearby residents temporarily until the reaction is contained, and civil penalties for the defendants’ ongoing violations of environmental and public health laws.

Chiquita Canyon Landfill operators responded to the lawsuit in the following statement sent to Spectrum News:

“Any suggestion that Chiquita Canyon has not been proactive and supportive of our neighbors while we’ve been working under the direction of Federal, State and Local regulatory agencies to mitigate the elevated temperature landfill event is wrong and irresponsible.  For example, Chiquita Canyon’s Community Relief Fund has provided nearly $15 million directly to local residents for them to pay for relocation, home hardening and assistance with utility bills.  For the 1,829 households that have received funding, that money can be used by residents however they deem appropriate.  In addition, Chiquita has distributed nearly 3,000 air purifiers to local residents at a cost of over $1 million, and has paid to ensure every school near the landfill has carbon filtration in every classroom and multipurpose space.

Further, Chiquita has worked to keep the community informed, vastly expanding its live air monitoring locations and sample data collection from the local community, and making this information publicly available on its website.

The County’s lawsuit filed on December 16 is misguided and counterproductive to efforts to mitigate the elevated temperature landfill event.  The lawsuit completely mischaracterizes the sustained work to address conditions at Chiquita Canyon, much of it done in close cooperation with the County.  Chiquita will vigorously contest the lawsuit and maintain its focus on improving conditions at Chiquita Canyon Landfill.”