The Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic was denied a permit to expand operations earlier this month by a state water agency, which cited concerns about toxic leachate running down the landfill’s slopes and possibly contaminating underground drinking water supplies.
Because leachate — a toxic liquid and human carcinogen that had been tested for high levels of benzene — might reach the expansion zone, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board wrote it could not say if expanding the landfill would satisfy state clean water standards. The board also indicated it was possible that additional trash-dumping would violate the federal Clean Water Act.
“As a result, the Los Angeles Water Board cannot currently determine the full impacts of proposed Project activities on water quality and beneficial uses,” wrote Susana Arredondo, executive officer, in a letter dated March 1, as a reason for the denial.
The landfill operators applied for the expansion on Jan. 4, 2022.
The eight-paragraph letter entitled “Denial of Application” was addressed to Steve Cassulo, district managerof Chiquita Canyon, LLC (CCL). It directed the landfill operators to provide more information and it gave them an opportunity to reapply for the water board permit. Cassulo did not return a phone call on Monday.
The landfill takes in about 9,000 tons of municipal trash daily but is allowed to take 12,000 tons per day, according to CCL. The expansion was planned for an eastern canyon area, while the smoldering waste is located in the northwestern part of the landfill.
Residents who have lived with strong odors for more than a year said the water board’s denial of an expansion was a victory for them.
“It is a great decision. Why would you add to an already deteriorating situation?” said Lloyd Carder, a resident of Hasley Canyon on Monday, March 11. Carter said he smells the odors from the landfill at least twice a week. “Let’s not expand the problem.”
For more…
Read the full article here
