Board adopts mitigated negative declaration for Laytonville Landfill cover remediation project

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 adopted a mitigated negative declaration (MND) and associated mitigation monitoring and reporting program under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Laytonville Landfill cover remediation and improvements project.

Deputy Director Amber Fassett (Transportation, Solid Waste & Water) and staff described the closed Class III Laytonville facility and explained that the project would replace and repair roughly 185,000 square feet of the landfill cap, reconstruct drainage and gas-collection features and would remain within the landfill’s existing footprint. Staff said the original cover was designed with a low safety factor and has required repeated repairs; the proposed work aims to improve slope stability and reduce erosion and ongoing maintenance needs.

Fassett told the board the county conducted public outreach in Laytonville and received no written comments during the CEQA public review period (July 9–Aug. 8) and that staff received no comments by the hearing date. County staff and consultants said the initial study concluded mitigation measures would avoid significant environmental effects and supported adoption of a mitigated negative declaration.

Supervisor Williams moved to adopt the MND and associated mitigation monitoring program; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Staff and the county’s consultant said the outreach conducted in Laytonville likely contributed to the absence of substantive written comments at the public hearing, though community interest was present at outreach meetings.

The board’s action enables the county to proceed with the engineered cap and drainage remediation work at the closed landfill; staff said the landfill will remain closed and monitoring/maintenance requirements will continue after construction.