Chiquita Canyon Landfill Community Relief Program
The Chiquita Canyon Landfill Community Relief Program was initiated in March 2024 to assist with offsetting costs associated with odor mitigation for those living in communities surrounding the Landfill. Through this Program, residents of Val Verde, Live Oak, Hasley Hills, Hillcrest Parkway, Hasley Canyon, and Stevenson Ranch have been able to request funding that can be used to assist with expenses such as temporary relocation, home hardening, and increased utility bills. Program applicants can also request an air filtration device or replacement air filters.
- Duration: March 2024 – February 2025
- Total distributions: expected to total over $25 million (including February distributions)
- Air filters distributed: over 1,000
On-site surface emissions data show that the potential for any off-site air emissions from the Landfill has steadily decreased over the past year. Off-site air quality data also shows improvement in air quality and potential odor impacts. As a result of these long-term trends in data, Chiquita has made the decision to end the Community Relief Program at the end of February 2025. Checks for the month of February will still be mailed out in March. Chiquita remains committed to addressing the reaction and working to maintain compliance with its permits, governing orders, and other regulatory obligations.
On and Off-Site Data Supports Chiquita’s Decision
Data demonstrates that Chiquita’s efforts to mitigate the reaction and any potential impacts are working. Onsite there have been improvements in the collection of landfill gas and decreases in fugitive surface emissions. Both decrease the potential for offsite emissions.
Results from the November 2024 flux chamber study similarly show that the rate of landfill gas being emitted from the surface of the Landfill has drastically decreased since the flux chamber studies in August 2023 and March 2024.
Offsite, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitored in the ambient air in the offsite air monitoring stations has similarly decreased over the course of 2024, and benzene, monitored in the ambient air in the new microGC air monitors have been comparable to background concentrations in the area.
Program Wrap Up
Checks for the month of January were mailed on February 21. Checks for the month of February will be mailed in March.