Madera County - Fairmead Landfill: Operational Landfill in Chowchilla, California

Madera County - Fairmead Landfill is an operational landfill located at 21739 Rd 19, Chowchilla, California, in Madera County. As a landfill facility, it plays a key role in the solid waste management infrastructure of the region, accepting municipal solid waste and likely other non-hazardous waste streams. The facility operates under the regulatory oversight of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), which enforce standards for landfill design, operation, and closure. The landfill is subject to federal regulations under RCRA Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills, including requirements for liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas management. California's stringent environmental laws further mandate comprehensive landfill gas collection and control systems to reduce methane emissions, as well as rigorous groundwater protection measures. The facility's NAICS codes (562211, 562212, 562920) indicate activities related to hazardous waste treatment and disposal, solid waste landfill, and materials recovery, suggesting a multi-faceted operation. Environmental significance of the Fairmead Landfill includes its role in managing waste from surrounding communities while mitigating potential impacts through engineered controls. Landfill gas collection systems help capture methane for energy recovery or flaring, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Leachate management systems protect local groundwater resources, which is critical in California's agricultural region. The facility's location in the San Joaquin Valley also necessitates careful management of air quality and traffic impacts on nearby communities.

The Fairmead Landfill operates in California's Central Valley, an area with significant agricultural activity and a Mediterranean climate. Key environmental considerations include landfill gas management to control methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, and leachate containment to prevent groundwater contamination. The region's groundwater is vital for irrigation and drinking water, making robust liner and monitoring systems essential. Proximity to rural communities also requires management of odor, dust, and truck traffic to minimize local impacts.