header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
December 19
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
Saugus train station


The following commentary is submitted by members of Citizens for Chiquita Canyon Landfill Compliance.

 

The Chiquita Canyon Landfill is in the final stages of seeking approval for an expansion, so you may have been hearing about it a lot lately or for the first time. As the upcoming public hearing is Wednesday March 1st, 6pm at Rancho Pico Junior High School [ 26250 Valencia Blvd. Stevenson Ranch 91381] the landfill has shifted into overdrive to get as many positive messages out there as they possibly can. However, there is one message which we should all pay very close attention to; how the nearby Sunshine Canyon Landfill went through a similar expansion that has impacted the nearby communities of Granada Hills and Sylmar.

(Full commentary below)

[Open .pdf in new window]

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

22 Comments

  1. Brian Wood says:

    I truly sympathize with the people living around the Chiquita Landfill, but let’s keep in mind that landfill was there long before most of the nearby homes and commercial buildings were put in place. Noting that NL&F is planning a huge development across the highway (not sure it’s correct that it’s the largest in the US), is silly. You’re arguing to close a landfill (or at least stop it’s expansion) because new building around it? And, your write-up would have more impact if it didn’t cite incorrect information. Even when expanded to 12,000 tons/day, Chiquita would not match the largest in the US. Newton County Landfill in Georgia (to name one) is over 20,000 tons/day.

    Let’s step back and look logically at this. If we truly want to shut down Chiquita, where would we relocate operations? It is truly one of the largest in California. What other location would be better for dumping this much waste? I don’t like it in my backyard either (as a resident of SCV), but it’s been in-service since 1972. It’s not like it just sprang up over the past year and is causing problems. Seriously, instead of building new schools, housing, and commercial properties nearby, how about considering doing the new development elsewhere?

  2. Brian Wood says:

    I truly sympathize with the people living around the Chiquita Landfill, but let’s keep in mind that landfill was there long before many of the nearby homes and most of the commercial buildings were put in place. Noting that NL&F is planning a huge development across the highway (not sure it’s correct that it’s the largest in the US), is silly. You’re arguing to close a landfill (or at least stop it’s expansion) because new building around it?

    And, your write-up would have more impact if it didn’t cite incorrect information. Even when expanded to 12,000 tons/day, Chiquita would not match the largest in the US. Newton County Landfill in Georgia (to name one) is over 20,000 tons/day.

    Let’s step back and look logically at this. If we truly want to shut down Chiquita (and I’m not saying we shouldn’t), where would we relocate operations? It is truly one of the largest in California. What other location would be better for dumping this much waste? I don’t like it in my backyard either (as a resident of SCV), but it’s been in-service since 1972. It’s not like it just sprang up over the past year and is causing problems. Seriously, instead of building new schools, housing, and commercial properties nearby, how about considering doing the new development elsewhere?

    If we really want to considering shutting down Chiquita, we have to at least have a viable alternative solution for the waste they currently handle today.

    • Agree. Alternative, would be to stop building. In my opinion, Santa Clarita wasn’t designed to handle the population. We are at our limit. Our roads can’t handle the amount of traffic. Bouquet canyon wasn’t designed for the amount of commute traffic and so on. I would hate to see how Santa Clarita would be able to handle another ’94 earthquake. We will be screwed since our roads weren’t designed for extreme population. I think another recommendation would be to fire the people who designed our city. Just my opinion anyways. :)

    • Eric Gaudio says:

      thanks for the information on newton county landfill. Who said shut down, i didn’t. i said recycle. maybe turn some of it into petroleum. but in my opinion there should be a counter balance to our pile of mess. so realistically its just promotion of less waste, and some type of machine to change our size of waste would be practical.

  3. Abigail says:

    We do – Misquite Regional Landfill that we PAID for and sits empty. This is all about money staying in the county and has nothing to do with not having a place to send the trash. Check it out….

  4. Randy Rodi says:

    Stop building houses holy hell

  5. The people should have free cooking gas from the land fill.

  6. Dennis Goff says:

    Shut down a landfill because you want to build hundreds of additional trash producing homes . . . Makes you go . . . Huh?

  7. Yep, development for the sake of development – oh yeah, and money. Give a listen to the Eagles song “Last Resort”. While you listen, understand that its about California. Particular attention to the last line. “Kiss it goodbye”.
    Sadly, it’s not just CA Dennis.

  8. Blake Frye says:

    Surely a new freeway will be built exclusively for this housing development that connects to the 118 and 5/14 interchange…

  9. Abigail says:

    There is a new freeway as part of the master plan proposal that goes behind (to the west) Stevenson Ranch and Westranch to the 126 highway. I think it is at the west side of Pico out to the 126 highway, but not sure. When those towns try to fight it and expect support from people in Castaic they may not feel as obliged to step up and fight for them. It certainly would make a drive easier for many in Castaic to the valley at the cost of leveling many hills and mountain areas – their view! This landfill expansion is part of a bigger plan and people had better wake up FAST and get on board or they will find their own interests bulldozed over too.

  10. waterwatcher says:

    Great article, but too bad it didn’t get published BEFORE the hearing so that people would know to attend and voice their concerns.

    Yeah, isn’t that just like Newhall Land to quickly try to get their housing tract approved BEFORE the landfill so that people there wouldn’t know they were living right across from one. With the new heights allowed, will they all be looking at it as well as smelling it? What a surprise they will get if they buy over there.

    There are other places for this garbage to go, and we all should be doing a lot better job at reduce, reuse, recycle, both for our air quality and water quality.

    AND for, anyone that missed this hearing, there will be another one downtown at Regional Planning on April 19th.

    • SCVNews.com says:

      we didn’t receive it until a couple of hours before the hearing. (Note: we are not in the habit of rushing things like that. We need at least 48 hours.)

  11. SCVNews.com says:

    Looks like the host of c4cclc.com was CLOUDFLARE.COM — contact them and let us know what you find out

  12. Steve says:

    The hearing April 19th will have a video feed in Santa Clarita. The place is still to be determined. But, if you are interested in being heard you can show up to that location. The more people that are heard and show up, the harder it will be for them to ignore the people and favor the big money in their decision.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Friday, Dec 19, 2025
There's no better way to celebrate the season than with toys, treats, and rollercoasters. My annual Foster Youth Holiday Party is one of the most special traditions we do each year
Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025
I'm overjoyed to share that as of this week, several Altadena residents have moved back into their newly-rebuilt homes in time for the holidays.
Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025
As we wrap up this incredible year with JCI Santa Clarita, my heart is truly overflowing with gratitude. This chapter has shown up in such wonderful ways, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve created together.
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025
It’s hard to believe that our city will turn 38-years-old as of Monday, Dec. 15.
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025
As we wrap up another year, I find myself reflecting on how extraordinary and eventful 2025 has been for our city.
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025
Today, my team and I set out to four different sites across the Fifth District for our 8th Annual Day of Giving.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
There's no better way to celebrate the season than with toys, treats, and rollercoasters. My annual Foster Youth Holiday Party is one of the most special traditions we do each year
Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn
The Canyon Theatre Guild’s production of "A Christmas Story," adds shows due to high ticket demand. Shows have been added on Sunday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 22.
CTG ‘A Christmas Story’ Adds Shows, Dec. 21-22, Due to Demand
The city of Santa Clarita will present its latest art exhibition, “Pop Culture,” on view at the Newhall Community Center now through March 25, 2026.
City Presents ‘Pop Culture’ Art Exhibit at the Newhall Community Center
This week’s Foothill League matches resulted in the Saugus boys getting a firmer grip on first place, and the Saugus girls slipping into second place. Meanwhile, holiday tournaments are bringing both wins and losses from non-league teams, with more on the way.
Foothill League Soccer: Saugus Boys, Hart Girls Leading
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
Saugus train station
Do you have a passion for swimming and a desire to make an impact in your community? The city of Santa Clarita is seeking individuals with strong customer service skills and a commitment to community engagement to join its lifeguard team.
Applications Are Open for the Summer 2026 Lifeguard Season
Santa Clarita Valley residents need to put down the yule log and refrain from all residental wood burning fires on Friday, Dec. 19.
Dec. 19: No Burn Day Alert Issued for SCV, South Coast Air Basin
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Aqua Dulce), announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 27th Congressional District: the “MathViz” team led by local Academy of the Canyons student, Gautham Korrapati.
Whitesides Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge SCV Winners
The Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K, set for March 1, in Santa Clarita, is more than a race, it’s a celebration of health, community and giving back. Now through Wednesday, Dec. 24, take $10 OFF race registration with promo code WINTER10 at checkout.
March 1: JCI Santa Clarita Holds Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K Runs
Theatre Extempore will present the all time classic musical The Fantasticks, 8-10 p.m. Jan. 9-11. 15-18 at The MAIN.
Jan. 9: Premiere of ‘The Fantasticks’ Presented by Theatre Extempore
West Ranch High School senior Braulio Castillo (17) never did any long-distance running before high school, but what he has accomplished in that demanding discipline since taking it up is impressive. And, so far his senior year, it is phenomenal.
West Ranch Runner Going the Distance
Powerlab Studio will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting 4:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at 28110 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan 8: Powerlab Studio Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting
B2 Entertainment will have a Cookies With Santa event, 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at 21516 Golden Triangle Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Dec. 21: Cookies With Santa at MB2 Entertainment
The College of the Canyons soccer programs will be hosting 'Friday Night Footy,' small-sided pick-up games, running on Friday evenings Jan. 2 through June 26 at the COC Soccer Facility.
Jan. 2-June 26: Cougars Soccer Programs to Host ‘Friday Night Footy’
College of the Canyons sophomore pitcher Nichole Muro will continue her academic and athletic career at Cumberland University after signing with the Phoenix softball program.
Muro Signs with Cumberland University Softball Program
College of the Canyons men's basketball won its fourth straight contest in an 80-72 affair at Napa Valley College on Monday afternoon, Dec. 15 as freshman Julius Washington led all scorers with 20 points.
Cougars Win Fourth Straight 80-72 at Napa Valley
Canyons women's basketball snapped a five-game losing streak with a 60-44 win over Diablo Valley College during the final day of action at the Napa Valley Storm Surge tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Canyons Finishes Tourney Weekend with 60-44 Win Over Diablo Valley
1929 - Swift justice: Thomas Vernon sentenced to life in prison for Saugus train derailment & robbery 1 month earlier [story]
Tom Vernon
The Newhall School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for its annual organiational meeting.
Newhall School Board Elects Rachelle Haddoak 2026 Board President
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  Forensic In-Patient Step Down program’s success has led to an annual graduation that not only celebrates the participants for the progress they have made in the program but also acknowledges the department’s commitment to excellence in custody operations. 
LASD Custody Division Honors Inmates on the Path of Recovery and Success
The study of bones from the largest collection of Neandertal remains in Northern Europe has revealed evidence of selective cannibalism targeting Neandertal females and children between 41,000 and 45,000 years ago.
Research by CSUN Prof Finds Neandertal Selective Cannibalism 45,000 Years Ago
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that registration is open for the second annual School Leadership to End Hate Winter Institute, co-hosted by the California Department of Education and the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education.
State Education Dept. to Address Rising Antisemitism, Hate
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was awarded a $134,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety
LASD Crime Lab Awarded Grant to Bolster Testing for DUI Cases
SCVNews.com