Chiquita CanyonTuesday, November 3
A state audit says L.A. County's Chiquita Canyon Landfill response was incomplete
The Daily Santa Clarita team
A state audit calls the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's response to the Chiquita Canyon Landfill crisis "incomplete." Lawmakers took it up at a public hearing in Castaic on Thursday, Oct. 29. KHTS Radio reports the landfill has had an underground chemical reaction since early 2022.
One of the audit's most significant findings: it took the department 657 days to direct the landfill operator to provide relocation assistance to nearby residents. During the Aliso Canyon gas leak, a similar directive took 22 days.
Relocation help took 657 days at Chiquita Canyon, versus 22 at Aliso Canyon
Source: KHTS Radio
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Chiquita Canyon landfill | 657 days |
| Aliso Canyon gas leak | 22 days |
- Concern 1: missed chances to better protect public health
- Concern 2: limited communication and community engagement
- Concern 3: response inconsistent with other environmental emergencies
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, who requested the audit, said, "I give LACDPH an F for its response to this public health crisis." She called for the leadership's resignation, or for the Board of Supervisors to replace them, if the recommendations aren't carried out. No department representatives attended the hearing.
The Chiquita Canyon audit went from request to hearing
- Early 2022An underground chemical reaction begins at Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
- Sept. 2026The State Auditor's report is released after Schiavo's request.
- Oct. 29The Joint Legislative Audit Committee holds a public hearing in Castaic.
Sources: KHTS Radio, scvnews.com
Sources: KHTS Radio, scvnews.com