The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, acting as the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) on behalf of CalRecycle, was successful last week in requiring Chiquita Canyon Landfill to install a thick geomembrane cover to contain odors emanating into the surrounding communities.

The Los Angeles County Solid Waste Facilities Hearing Board, in a 3-0 decision, denied the landfill’s appeal and affirmed Directive 4.1 of the LEA’s 2025 Compliance Order, as modified by the LEA’s November 20, 2025 letter, finding the required mitigation measure to be reasonable and scientifically supported.

Directive 4.1 requires the installation of a thick geomembrane cover over the entire landfill by August 31, 2026, including a disputed 66-acre portion of the site.

The LEA enforces state solid waste laws, including issuing orders, to ensure landfills operate in a manner that protects public health and the environment.

“The community near the landfill has been significantly impacted by the odors emanating from the landfill and the Local Enforcement Agency has been working diligently to require the landfill mitigate the gases and odors causing the issue,” said Karen Gork, LA County’s LEA manager. “We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Solid Waste Hearing Board upheld the order as we continue to work with our partners to address the ongoing reaction at the landfill.”

Background

Since early 2022, the Chiquita Canyon Landfill (CCL) has been experiencing a subsurface elevated temperature (SET) event in an inactive or no longer used area of the landfill. The event is producing increased landfill gases and leachate (water that drains through and picks up dissolved substances from the waste).

Existing interim soil cover has not been effective in fully controlling emissions associated with the SET event, contributing to continued odor impacts and the need for additional mitigation measures.

Nearby community members have reported thousands of odor complaints, along with health and mental health complaints.

In response, multiple local, state, and federal agencies continue directing the owners and operators of Chiquita Canyon Landfill to monitor, control, and mitigate the landfill gas emissions and odors from the SET event.