FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Please see below for the most common questions we receive regarding the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. A print-friendly version is also available.
Health
The independent health risk evaluation found that the community is exposed to intermittent, unpleasant and sometimes strong odors. Odors from landfills may be caused by sulfur compounds. The short-term health effects from exposures to odors can include headaches, nasal congestion, eye, nose and throat irritation, hoarseness/sore throat, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, heart palpitations, nausea, drowsiness and mental depression. These health effects are not permanent and do not lead to long-term disease, but can exacerbate existing health conditions.
The evaluation found that the air quality in the community is similar to the air quality found throughout Los Angeles County. The evaluation did note that two Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), benzene and carbon tetrachloride, were found to be elevated. The evaluation suggests there may be a small contribution of benzene from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill to the air quality in the community. However, the levels found are similar to levels of these VOCs throughout the County and any potential health risks appear to be associated with the larger-scale air quality issues in Los Angeles County.
More information can be found here.
Landfill Operations
The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the operation of the Landfill provides authority for LA County to order the immediate cessation of landfill operations or other activities if it is determined that such cessation is necessary for the health, safety, and/or welfare of the County’s residents or the environment. The County acknowledges that the community has experienced odor nuisances and health symptoms. However, based on the currently available data, including air monitoring data from nearby communities and analysis of that data by the independent health risk evaluation, the County has not determined that cessation of landfill operations is currently warranted under the CUP; moreover, prohibiting the acceptance of new solid waste would not resolve the ongoing odor issue because the elevated temperature landfill (ETLF) event that is causing the odors is occurring within an inactive portion of the Landfill.
Accordingly, federal, state and County agencies, and third-party consultants, are working together to mitigate the community’s on-going odor and health concerns. This multi-governmental effort is working in a closely collaborative manner to ensure that the landfill operator implements all necessary mitigation measures and remedies as swiftly as possible. The involved agencies will continue to closely monitor and evaluate conditions in the Landfill and the community to resolve the odor nuisance caused by the reaction at the Landfill.
In general, the use of flares to manage emissions and gas is a common practice at landfills. However, the installation and operation of these flares is subject to extensive review and stringent permitting requirements by both the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure safe and appropriate operations per State and Federal regulations. For more information on these requirements, you may visit SCAQMD’s website or call their Permit Services group at (909) 396-3385.
Regulatory
In the event of a proclaimed local emergency, the County is potentially able to exercise limited emergency powers (as may be necessary to provide for the protection of life and property) and may also request State and federal resources, including mutual aid, as warranted. In a situation where both the conditions warranting the proclamation of a local emergency exist and the legal authorities and/or resources that may be needed to address such conditions are not available through other means, it may be particularly imperative to initiate an action to proclaim a local emergency. Currently, the County, along with multiple other jurisdictional agencies, both State and federal, are relying on existing regulatory and permitting authorities to ensure that the operator of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill takes appropriate steps to address problematic conditions occurring at the landfill. In conjunction with the other involved governmental agencies, however, the County will continue to closely monitor the conditions associated with the landfill and, should it be necessary and appropriate, the County will remain prepared to consider all appropriate actions, including the potential proclamation of a local emergency.
In August 2023, the County established the County Task Force, comprised of the Office of Emergency Management, LA County Planning, Public Health, and Public Works. The purpose of the task force is to coordinate with the various regulatory agencies, such as South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), to support, streamline, and facilitate actions to address the odors. This task force meets regularly and has facilitated various measures such as obtaining an independent consultant to review and evaluate the potential health impacts from the odors, expediting structural permit reviews for the flare, and providing the public with contacts, resources, and information. County agencies also regularly attend meetings with the Chiquita Canyon communities to provide updates and respond to questions from residents. To learn more about the status of the County’s efforts, please view the list of County response actions.
LA County Planning’s issuance of a NOV puts the Landfill Operator on notice that it is operating the Landfill in violation of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and requires it to correct the outstanding violations by implementing remedial measures to quell the nuisance odors. Thus far, Chiquita has implemented a number of mitigation measures and is working on resolving the ongoing issues at the Landfill. LA County Planning will require additional remedial measures, as necessary.
In June 2020, the court struck down the Community Benefit Fund fee and remanded it back to the Board of Supervisors for reconsideration. On October 11, 2022, the County and Landfill Operator entered into a settlement agreement (“Settlement”). The Settlement provides, among other things, that if, and when, the Regional Planning Commission approves the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) modification application in accordance with the terms of the Settlement, the Landfill Operator will recommence paying the Community Benefit Fund fee in the amount that is 10% higher than the fee that was struck down by the court.
On September 12, 2023, Supervisor Kathryn Barger moved to authorize $2.5 million from the Chiquita Canyon Community Benefit Fund for two grant relief programs to address the needs of residents affected by the Landfill. Please visit LACDA’s website for more information on the relief programs.
Conditional Use Permit No 2004-00042, approved on July 25, 2017, granted the continued operation and expansion of the Landfill. This included a lateral expansion of the waste footprint to 400 acres and a maximum permitted elevation of 1,430 feet. A complete summary of daily, monthly, and annual maximum capacity received at the facility can be found under Condition 23 of the CUP.
Resources
The Landfill Operator has launched their own Community Relief Program. It is designed to assist neighboring residents by providing funding for the following expenses associated with odor mitigation, including temporary relocation, home hardening, and increased utility bills. Please visit https://www.chiquitalandfillcommunityrelief.com/ for more information.
The application deadline for the Utility Relief Program was extended until March 31, 2024. Should funds remain after the Utility Relief Program is closed, the Chiquita Canyon Landfill Rehabilitation Grant Program will be launched to reimburse residents for home-improvement modifications, including but not limited to, installation of air conditioners, insulation, and replacement of windows and doors.
The Landfill Operator has offered nearby residents who are experiencing odors a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Certified air filtration device for in-home use. Please contact info@chiquitacanyon.com for more information.
Due to reporting purposes, recipients must provide their SSN in order for the grant administrator to issue a 1099 form. In addition, bank account information is requested to ensure the quickest and safest disbursement of funds via direct deposit. Checks may be issued on a case-by-case basis. However, it should be noted that checks must be cashed within 90 days and the grant administrator will not be liable for items getting lost in the mail or the check being cashed by someone other than the intended recipient.