Superior Court Judge Stephen Goorvitch ruled Tuesday in favor of Los Angeles County and Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts in a lawsuit over the use of Calabasas Landfill for the Palisades Fire Private Property Debris Removal Program.
The judge denied the City of Calabasas' petition for writ of mandate after reviewing evidence that hazardous waste was appropriately separated from fire debris by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors.
The court found the county and sanitation districts followed all relevant law and industry best practices. Testing reviewed by the court found no dangerous exceedances or presence of toxic materials.
"The court's decision affirms the safety protections that guided Los Angeles County's debris removal program, in partnership with the U.S. EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. "Accountability remains central to our recovery, and we will continue to ensure essential protections are upheld to safeguard public health and the environment."
Horvath said she looks forward to partnering with Calabasas on supporting communities, advancing recovery and emergency preparedness.
Edited by SMDP Staff