Mono County moves forward with phased closure plan for Benton Crossing landfill to resolve state violation

Mono County announced plans to begin phased closure work at the Benton Crossing landfill after staff and state regulators agreed on a short, immediate action to install intermediate cover and address a regulatory violation.

What staff presented: Public Works said the landfill closure will proceed in three phases. Phase 1 will be earthwork to place an intermediate cover; staff asked the board for authorization to advertise and award a short earthwork contract to remedy the regulatory deficiency quickly. Phase 2 will include double geotextile lining and roughly 21 inches of soil to create a vegetative cover. Phase 3 calls for an organic or mulch surface layer to establish vegetation.

Regulatory status: Raton said staff had early morning confirmation from the Regional Water Quality Control Board and CalRecycle that the county may proceed with interim cover work while regulators and staff finish a longer monitoring and observation plan. The board’s environmental staff said final monitoring and post‑closure care requirements will be worked out with the Regional Water Board and CalRecycle.

Budget and procurement: Staff characterized Phase 1 as an earthwork contract suitable for local contractors and requested authority to proceed to bid. County counsel and public works staff noted that a complete closure (phases 2–3) will require separate project budgeting and likely federal, state or grant funding to cover geosynthetic liner and other capital costs.

Public interest: Solid waste staff said the immediate cover work is intended to come into compliance on a short timeline and that staff will return with a complete closure timeline and cost estimates.

Ending: County staff said they will begin procurement for the intermediate‑cover earthwork and return to the board with a phase‑two contract and monitoring plan when the regulators and the county finalize post‑closure monitoring requirements.