| Air Pollution | Water | Noise | Seismic Stability | Aesthetics | Land Use and Miscellaneous |
AIR POLLUTIONMethane emission control - gas flare system capable of handling 8750 cubic feet per minute. Removal of methane from the landfill speeds up the decomposition process. In the future, building of an energy recovery system to burn the methane and produce energy for 10,000 homes. By 1995, methane-powered energy recovery has been determined not to be cost-effective because too much energy is produced locally, bringing the cost down.
Monitoring for methane - monthly sampling on site and private sampling and studies at private homes surrounding the landfill.
Dust control - controlled by water spraying using 500,000 gal/day. Earth moving operations will be suspended on windy days. Studies will be performed to test alternative dust retardants. Monitoring of on-site equipment. Investigate all the complaints. Follow Clean Air Act guidelines and install Best Available Control Technology (BACT) which requires permits, annual testing, and routine monitoring.
Liners - designed to work with the methane gas recovery system to prevent leakage to nearby areas.
Vehicle Use - regular tune-ups of all vehicles and equipment with the eventual conversion of the fleet to methanol.
| Air Pollution | Water | Noise | Seismic Stability | Aesthetics | Land Use and Miscellaneous |
WATER
Ground water - Seven monitoring wells and 2 lysimeters sampled quarterly. Seven additional wells sampled at more frequent intervals.
Storm Drainage System - debris basins designed to catch runoff from work site.
Liners - liners installed to prevent movement of liquids into water supplies. Built to LCRS limits. Designed to meet Regional Water Quality Control Board specifications. Beneath the liner, use a layer to reduce percolation rate.
Side Slopes - sprayed-on asphaltic-rubber liner to prevent water contamination. More effective than clay or high density polyethylene.
Prevention of Percolation From Surface of Landfill - install a 1 foot thick layer of clay and a 5 foot layer of fill to slow percolation.
Ground and surface monitoring of water quality.
Managed as a dry landfill. During a rain event, water is diverted to catchment basins to prevent excess water from moving through the landfill refuse and to catch runoff.
No ground water sources are found beneath the landfill.
| Air Pollution | Water | Noise | Seismic Stability | Aesthetics | Land Use and Miscellaneous |
NOISE
Sound barrier walls 3000 feet long and 8 feet high that reduce noise by 3 - 5 dB. Moveable barriers and vegetation installed to reduce noise.
Monthly noise monitoring.
regular servicing of mufflers and other equipment. Record keeping to ensure maintenance every 5 weeks. Inspections and adjustments for noise levels every 250 hours.
Limit hours of operation from 7:00 to 5:30, Monday through Friday.
Investigate all complaints.
Run studies at excavation site to reduce noise levels.
| Air Pollution | Water | Noise | Seismic Stability | Aesthetics | Land Use and Miscellaneous |
SEISMIC STABILITY
Overburden - presents no additional risk for increasing the chance for earthquakes.
Liner Design - protects geologic substructure.
Catastrophe Preparation - continued removed of explosive methane gas prevents any catastrophic build up or leakage. Flares and electrical generation facilities may be upset so they are equipped with automatic shut down and placed in an area not subjected to wild fires. Flares equipped with flame arresters. Inspection procedures and checklist are developed for use in emergency situations. Sewage sludge disposed in the landfill maybe lead to cracks in the landfill cover along the sides of the canyon (because sludge increases the per unit weight of landfill mass). Use flexible tubing for all drainage lines to prevent breakage.
| Air Pollution | Water | Noise | Seismic Stability | Aesthetics | Land Use and Miscellaneous |
AESTHETICS
Litter - Five permanent employees to continuely clean the 11 miles of surrounding road. They are helped by 6 temporary employees.
Berns and vegetation designed to prevent viewing of the landfill and excavation site.
Vegetate all completed fill slopes and design to blend with the natural vegetation.
Install landscaping along roads and on private property as needed.
| Air Pollution | Water | Noise | Seismic Stability | Aesthetics | Land Use and Miscellaneous |
LAND USE AND MISCELLANEOUS
Maintain permits from Los Angeles City and County and the Forest Service.
Create hazardous waste exclusion plan. Inspect 5 trucks randomly per day and install radioactive detection devices at scales for incoming trucks.
Design contingency plan for all possible emergencies, including, fires, storms, truck accidents, and earthquakes.
Wash truck tires before they leave the site to prevent the spread of contamination.
Won the National Sysytems Excellence Award for 1994. Each year, the Solid Waste Association of North America chooses and awards the superior landfill.
Only existing city-owned landfill available for refuse. Lopez Canyon will be filled by the year 2000. Other existing landfills have the space for additional refuse, but they do not have the proper permits due to public and political pressures.
Sewage sludge was never put in the landfill.
