LOS ANGELES -- This city's long-delayed airport renovation plan, which calls for a consolidated rental car facility, encountered yet another hurdle this week. The city of El Segundo filed a lawsuit claiming the overall project's environmental impact report falls far short of state requirements.
Before moving forward with any airport expansion plan, California law requires that an airport authority complete an environmental impact report. Such reports must identify how a given project might affect the surrounding environment and what measures can be taken to offset any negative effects.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the city of Inglewood has also threatened to sue.
The parties named in El Segundo's lawsuit are Los Angeles World Airports and Airport Commission, the Los Angeles City Council and Mayor James K. Hahn. The suit asks that the court halt work on the project until Los Angeles satisfies state environmental laws.
Los Angeles city officials, however, told local media outlets that they expect to settle the matter out of court.
Construction of the rental car facility is a key part of the modernization plan's first phase, which drew City Council approval in December.
