Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Troubled Chiquita Canyon Landfill to shut down New Year’s Day
Liquid collects on top of a plastic tarp in Chiquita Canyon landfill in Castaic.
(
Courtesy the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
)
Topline:
The Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic is shutting down on Jan. 1, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Why now? The closure was expected, according to Barger’s office. It comes after the county recently filed a lawsuit accusing operators of failing to protect residents from the landfill’s noxious odors. Chiquita Canyon said in a statement that the lawsuit is "misguided and counterproductive to efforts to mitigate the elevated temperature landfill event."
The backstory: Residents living nearby have reported headaches, eye irritation, dizziness, and even cardiac problems. The South Coast Air Quality Management District received more than 20,000 complaints about the smells, largely from this year.
Sponsored message
What’s next: While the last day the landfill will accept incoming waste is Dec. 31, operators will continue to manage it and oversee the closure. The county is working with local officials to ensure there’s no disruption in trash collection.
Listen
0:51
Troubled Chiquita Canyon Landfill to shut down New Year’s Day
What it means for the environment: At the next county Board of Supervisors meeting, set for Jan. 7, Barger is expected to introduce a motion to assess the closure’s effect on waste disposal operations, environmental considerations, and community health, she said.
Go deeper… to learn more about the order problems.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
