Glendale, Burbank and L.A. Join Forces to Fight Pipeline Bid

Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles are banding together to block construction of the proposed Angeles Pipeline even though the project has not been approved.

The three cities will ask a Los Angeles Superior Court judge today to consolidate five separate suits filed last year against the $225-million pipeline project. The Metropolitan Water District and the Tejon Ranch Co., which owns property along the proposed pipeline route, also are suing.

All of the suits allege that an environmental impact report on the project was inadequate and challenge the building of the 135-mile crude-oil pipeline from Kern County to refineries in Wilmington. Some of the litigants also claim that no pipeline can be safe, regardless of the route, because of possible damage from earthquakes.

The environmental report was approved in August by the state Department of Transportation and the U.S. Forest Service, the two lead government agencies on the project. However, Caltrans rescinded the action Feb. 26, saying further studies are needed.

Joseph Sanchez, a Caltrans deputy district director, said that the department’s legal staff found that the environmental study considered only one route through the Ft. Tejon area north of Gorman and that consultants will be asked to consider alternate routes. He said approval “is going to happen somewhere down the line.”

In a letter sent last week, Caltrans asked Glendale and the others to drop their legal action against the project. David R. Simmes, attorney for Caltrans, said “there is nothing to litigate” because no decision has been made.

However, Glendale City Atty. Frank R. Manzano said attorneys representing the five litigants agreed Tuesday to proceed with the lawsuit.

Katherine E. Stone, a private attorney coordinating the legal battle against the pipeline, said opponents hope for a court order blocking construction.

The pipeline, which could transport 330,000 barrels of crude oil a day, is being sought by a consortium of oil companies. The route initially approved by Caltrans would have permitted the pipeline to be built underground along some of the busiest streets in Glendale, including along Colorado Boulevard and Central Avenue next to the Glendale Galleria.

Sanchez said there is “some possibility” that Caltrans may reconsider the route in Glendale but he indicated that the department is more concerned about studying the Tejon Ranch property. He said additional environmental studies need to be done, which could take a year or more.

Jack Schaffer, a spokesman for the oil companies, said no decision has been made to drop the controversial proposal. He said a management committee will meet to decide “what action, if any, will be taken in light of the substantial opposition to the project.”

The companies include Shell Oil Co., Chevron Pipe Line Co., Texaco Refining & Marketing and the Four Corners Pipe Line Co., an Arco subsidiary.