On January 17, 2024, the South Coast AQMD Hearing Board approved modifications to an Order for Abatement (Order) requiring the Chiquita Canyon Landfill to take action to address ongoing foul odors that have significantly impacted the public since early 2023.South Coast AQMD sought to modify the Order to address issues relating to the facility’s liquid leachate collection system, as well as other conditions resulting in increased emissions.

The Chiquita Canyon Landfill is a municipal landfill/solid waste disposal facility located at 29201 Henry Mayo Dr., in Castaic, California. Since this issue began in April 2023, South Coast AQMD received approximately 9,000 odor complaints that were traced back to the facility, and has issued more than 130 Notices of Violation (NOVs) against Chiquita Canyon for public nuisance in violation of the agency’s Rule 402 and California Health & Safety Code Section 41700. In November 2023, South Coast AQMD also cited the facility for failure to maintain the leachate collection and storage system in good operating condition, failure to report the breakdown of equipment, failure to submit a landfill excavation plan, and violations of other permit conditions.

Some of the key actions the modified Order requires of Chiquita Canyon include:

• Immediate Leachate Collection: Twice daily inspections for leachate and the immediate removal of any pooling or ponding liquid in a sealed tank/truck.

• Expand Collection and Extraction Wells: To collect gas and leachate as needed, properly cover wells to prevent leaks, and avoid or limit escape of any liquids during well building or maintenance.

• Expanded Monitoring: Install continuous air monitors in the community where odors have been reported for gases associated with landfills. Monitor for benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and conduct an additional study of surface air emissions from the landfill.

• Increased Transparency: Provide all past and current air monitoring data to South Coast AQMD immediately for review.

The Hearing Board is an independent panel that hears all sides of a case, weighs the evidence, and reaches a decision. A status hearing is expected to be held on April 24th and 25th, or as soon thereafter as it can be scheduled with the Hearing Board.