Lopez Canyon Landfill - Operational Solid Waste Facility in Lake View Terrace, California

Lopez Canyon Landfill is an operational solid waste facility located at 11950 Lopez Canyon Rd, Lake View Terrace, California, within Los Angeles County. It serves the greater Los Angeles region, managing municipal solid waste as a landfill operation. The facility is part of the state's extensive waste management infrastructure, handling significant tonnages of waste annually. The landfill operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills, as well as California's stringent state regulations. These rules govern landfill design, operation, and closure, including requirements for liner systems, leachate collection, and groundwater monitoring. The facility's NAICS codes (562212 and 562920) indicate it engages in solid waste landfill operations and materials recovery, respectively. As a major landfill in a densely populated urban area, Lopez Canyon Landfill plays a critical role in regional waste disposal. Its environmental significance includes managing landfill gas through collection and control systems to reduce methane emissions, and implementing leachate management to protect local groundwater. The facility's proximity to residential communities necessitates careful traffic and odor management.

Located in the San Fernando Valley, Lopez Canyon Landfill operates in a semi-arid climate with Mediterranean characteristics. The facility's environmental context includes managing landfill gas, primarily methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas; gas collection systems are essential to mitigate emissions. Leachate management is critical due to the potential for groundwater contamination in the region's alluvial aquifers. The landfill's proximity to residential areas in Lake View Terrace requires careful control of odors, dust, and truck traffic to minimize community impact.