Authority welcomes North Coast Water Board's plan to standardize closed landfill monitoring

Authority staff reported that the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board is developing a unified general waste discharge requirement for closed landfill facilities in the region, a change staff said could streamline postclosure monitoring and reporting and reduce redundant laboratory testing.

Kira (staff) told the board the regional water board is moving away from individually tailored, often outdated orders toward a single general order that will set consistent standards for postclosure maintenance and water-quality monitoring. "The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board is in the process of developing general waste discharge requirements for closed landfill facilities in the North Coast region," Kira said. "The new approach will streamline oversight, improve compliance with state and federal regulations, and help facilities update their monitoring and reporting programs."

Staff said the Crescent City landfill performed well during a recent site visit with Chris Watt of the water board and an engineering consultant, Lawrence Associates. Board members asked whether the change could reduce the number of annual tests or other monitoring burdens; staff replied that frequency and specifics will be negotiated with the water board and consultant but that there is potential to lessen monitoring where historical data show low threat levels.

The board received the report as information; no formal action was taken. Staff said it will continue to participate in the water board process and provide input to minimize unnecessary redundancy while ensuring environmental protections are maintained.