Ben Lomond Solid Waste Disposal Site - Landfill in Santa Cruz County, California

The Ben Lomond Solid Waste Disposal Site is a landfill facility located at the end of Newell Creek Road in Ben Lomond, California, within Santa Cruz County. It is currently operational and serves as a key component of the region's solid waste management infrastructure, handling municipal solid waste from the surrounding communities. As a landfill in the United States, this facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills. It must comply with standards for liner systems, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas management. The facility's NAICS code 562212 indicates it is specifically engaged in solid waste landfill operations. The environmental significance of this landfill lies in its role in managing waste from Santa Cruz County. Landfills of this type require careful management of leachate to protect local groundwater and surface water, as well as landfill gas collection systems to mitigate methane emissions. The facility's location in a coastal region with significant rainfall necessitates robust leachate management practices.

The Ben Lomond area is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with wet winters, which increases the potential for leachate generation from the landfill. Proximity to the Santa Cruz Mountains and local waterways means that groundwater protection is a critical concern. Effective leachate collection and treatment systems are essential to prevent contamination. Additionally, landfill gas management is important to reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, and to minimize odor impacts on nearby communities.