Community Relations Services - Chiquita Canyon Landfill Expansion

Consensus Planning Group developed and implemented a comprehensive community relations program for Laidlaw Waste Systems, Inc. in support of its effort to expand and build recycling facilities at its Chiquita Canyon Landfill, a solid waste landfill in northern Los Angeles County. The landfill is located adjacent to a predominantly Latino community that was formerly a resort for African-Americans. The program assisted the client in its permit approval, while ensuring that community members had an effective voice in the environmental review, and overall consideration of the proposed project. Following are the activities that made up the community relations program.

Stakeholder Identification:

CPG identified all the people and organizations that were interested in, and potentially affected by, the landfill expansion and recycling facilities. Research in the community was conducted that revealed that a large number of residents were landscapers and used the landfill on a regular basis. Meetings with community landscapers were conducted that resulted in a "Friends of Chiquita Canyon Landfill" group which served as a strong positive voice in the community.

Presentations, Meetings, Site Tours, Public Workshop:

We conducted more than 50 meetings, 15 site tours, and 20 presentations with individuals and groups from the community over the span of 24 months. A public workshop was organized in a well-orchestrated but informal gathering to promote dialogue between the project team and community members.

Support Building:

While ensuring an open dialogue on the project, we also sought to build support for the landfill. We then utilized the support to assist the client in obtaining project approval. The leading Santa Clarita Valley business organization supported the Chiquita Canyon Landfill expansion, yet opposed another landfill project in the Valley.

A community advisory committee was formed that met regularly to discuss specific issues with the landfill. The committee included both project supporters and opponents. Ultimately, the community advisory committee voiced a unified position and, endorsed the project at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors hearings.

We worked closely with supporters to prepare them for the hearings in addition to aiding the client in preparing testimony regarding the community relations program.

A Winning Strategy

The success of the program helped Laidlaw Waste Systems win unanimous project approval from the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.