Los Angeles County to Release Report on the Effects of Landfill Closure

LOS ANGELES—In light of the suspension of operations at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, county supervisors convened on Jan. 7 to request a report from Department of Public Works officials regarding the financial and operational repercussions of the closure.

Following numerous complaints about odors and health concerns from residents in the Castaic area and community advocacy groups, the operators of the facility announced last week that they would cease landfill operations, with Dec. 31 marking the last day for accepting solid waste.

The owners of the landfill stated their intention to keep the property operational as they work to manage the unpleasant odors arising from what has been characterized as an underground chemical reaction.

During the Jan. 7 meeting, Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger put forth a motion urging the public works department “to undertake a thorough assessment of the consequences of the closure.”

“This evaluation will focus on the impact on waste disposal services, environmental factors, and public health,” Barger remarked in a statement last week.

In a unanimous decision, the board instructed the department, in collaboration with County Counsel, Public Health, Regional Planning, and the Local Enforcement Agency, to provide an analysis of the solid waste management closure within 21 days.

The anticipated report will outline where rerouted waste will be sent, potential ramifications for transfer stations, financial implications for local governments and ratepayers, as well as suggestions on mitigating the expected rise in illegal dumping following the closure.

Additionally, another report is expected in 30 days concerning proposed regulations to combat potential price gouging and anti-competitive behaviors in the county regarding solid waste disposal.

In the meantime, residents living in proximity to the landfill have called upon the board to declare a State of Emergency to address the “toxic effects” of the site.

While the residents expressed happiness over the cessation of solid waste processing, they voiced discontent with priorities such as the restoration of the area, provision of health assistance, and technological support.

People from neighboring communities like Val Verde and Castaic brought attention to how the facility has contributed to numerous health and safety issues and noted that an emergency status could facilitate immediate access to resources, including relocation assistance.

“We cherish our small-town atmosphere and close-knit community. The town is, honestly, perfect apart from the landfill’s presence,” remarked Jennifer Elkins, a Val Verde resident for nearly eight years.

“We are advocating for a State of Emergency to secure relocation assistance for residents through the government. This should not depend on the landfill’s discretion and must be equitable for every resident, as we all suffer similarly, whether located 100 feet or several miles away. The winds carry those toxic chemicals, affecting everyone,” added Elkins.

Residents have continued to highlight the difficulty in escaping the toxins, noting that air purifiers, air conditioning, and staying indoors offer little respite from the chemical exposure.

Resident Oshea Orchid shared that the community has consistently urged the board to declare a local emergency and provide immediate relief for over a year.

During the Jan. 7 meeting, the group occupied the board room, reiterating their calls for emergency status.

The county initiated legal action against Chiquita Canyon LLC in federal court in December due to ongoing noxious emissions.

Moreover, a group of local residents filed a lawsuit against the landfill’s owners in October 2024, claiming that the company failed to effectively manage its gas capture, control systems, and leachate systems. Leachate refers to polluted liquid formed by rainwater filtering through solid waste.

The lawsuit asserts that these failures resulted in the release of harmful quantities of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic gases, creating hazardous living conditions for thousands of residents.

According to the plaintiffs’ attorneys in the October suit, there were 13,000 odor complaints reported about the landfill last year alone.

Residents have reported ailments such as headaches, nausea, respiratory issues, and an inability to enjoy their properties due to the unpleasant odors, as stated in the suit. Landfill officials attribute the odors to “an abnormal biotic or abiotic process, also known as a landfill reaction, occurring deep within an older and inactive lined portion of the landfill.”

The county alleges that local families have been compelled to remain indoors, continually run their air conditioning and heating, and have been unable to partake in outdoor activities or utilize their yards—further exacerbating mental health and wellbeing issues, particularly for children.

The county is also investigating claims from residents regarding a potential cluster of cancer cases in the area linked to the landfill.

The group Citizens for the Chiquita Canyon Landfill Closure released a statement last week expressing “surprise and relief” about the closure, but described it as merely an “initial positive step” and called for ongoing vigilance regarding the landfill’s management and maintenance efforts.

According to Barger’s office, the county Department of Public Works has been diligently preparing for the landfill’s closure and ensuring that trash collection for residents remains uninterrupted.

“As the agency responsible for regional waste planning in Los Angeles County, we will guarantee there are no disruptions to trash collection services in our unincorporated areas and will collaborate closely with the city of Santa Clarita to prevent any service interruptions,” stated Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works.

By Anusha Shankar, Jose Herrera