CASTLE AFB LF #1 2 3 4 5, Merced

Overview

CASTLE AFB LF #1 2 3 4 5 is an operational landfill in Merced County, California, serving the former Castle Air Force Base. It manages solid waste under US EPA RCRA Subtitle D regulations.

CASTLE AFB LF #1 2 3 4 5 is an operational landfill located in Merced County, California, on the site of the former Castle Air Force Base. The facility is classified under NAICS code 562212 for solid waste landfills and operates within the state's regulatory framework for municipal solid waste management. As a landfill in California, this facility is subject to stringent state and federal regulations, including the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills and the Clean Air Act's landfill gas emission standards. California's own Title 27 regulations further govern landfill design, operation, and closure, emphasizing leachate management and groundwater monitoring. The landfill plays a role in managing waste from the surrounding Merced County area. Its location on a former military base may involve unique waste streams and remediation considerations. The facility's operational status indicates ongoing waste disposal activities, with potential for landfill gas recovery and environmental monitoring typical of modern landfills in the region.

Environmental context

Landfills in California's Central Valley, such as this one, face environmental challenges related to groundwater protection due to the region's agricultural water demands and proximity to the San Joaquin River watershed. Methane generation from decomposing waste requires active gas collection systems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and comply with state air quality regulations. Leachate management is critical to prevent contamination of underlying aquifers, which are vital for local farming communities.

Frequently asked questions

CASTLE AFB LF #1 2 3 4 5 is located in Merced County, California, United States, on the site of the former Castle Air Force Base.

As a landfill, it accepts municipal solid waste and potentially other non-hazardous solid wastes, subject to its permit and regulatory classification under NAICS 562212.

The landfill operates under US EPA RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills, Clean Air Act landfill gas rules, and California's Title 27 environmental regulations.

California requires landfills to install and operate gas collection and control systems to reduce methane emissions, in compliance with the state's Air Resources Board (CARB) rules and the federal Clean Air Act.

Landfills in California's Central Valley must manage leachate to protect groundwater used for agriculture, control methane to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize odor and traffic impacts on nearby communities.