Chiquita Canyon Landfill Response
Ongoing Response at Chiquita Canyon Landfill
Agencies Involved
Local, state, and federal agencies all have a role in regulating the landfill and are taking both independent and collective action to ensure the landfill and reaction are managed properly and to hold Waste Connections responsible for the public health and environmental impacts caused by the reaction.
Exercises minimum federal standards for municipal solid waste landfills under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and issues enforcement orders authorized through both RCRA and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Ensures that landfill operators are managing hazardous waste as required by California law. This includes properly sampling the leachate to determine if hazardous substances, such as benzene, are being generated and the potential for these hazardous substances to threaten public health and the environment. If mitigation measures are necessary, DTSC oversees the design, implementation, and monitoring of the remedies to ensure that the risk of any releases to the environment or nearby communities is minimized.
Contains many different departments engaged in the response. The County regulates land-use and works to safeguard public health. LA County is also certified to act as the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) by CalRecycle and has primary local regulatory oversight over the landfill. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is responsible for protecting and promoting public health for all people in Los Angeles County.
Monitors the LEA’ s performance and provides technical and enforcement guidance and support to the LEA and other agencies that regulate these facilities, including the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
Regulates the Chiquita Canyon Landfill through issuance and oversight of three permits: Waste Discharge Requirements related to the disposal of solid wastes to ground, and two General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits governing stormwater and construction activities.
Exercises direct oversight of the landfill as a stationary source; responds to and investigates the odor complaints emanating from the Landfill.
Coordinates enforcement efforts across Federal, State, and Local agencies involved in the response.
Provides expertise in evaluating human health hazards from chemical exposures resulting from landfill emissions.
Implements the Landfill Methane Regulation (LMR) which requires installation and operationof gas collection and control systems, monitoring for landfill gasses, and maintenance of records.
