PICACHO CUT AND FILL SITE LANDFILL - Winterhaven, California Landfill Operations

PICACHO CUT AND FILL SITE LANDFILL is an operational landfill located in Winterhaven, California, within Imperial County. The facility is situated on Picacho Road, approximately 1.5 miles north of the Algodones Dunes, and serves the local community's solid waste disposal needs. As a landfill, it is classified under NAICS code 562212 for solid waste landfill operations. The 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, and the Clean Air Act (CAA) for landfill gas emissions. California's stringent state regulations, including those from CalRecycle and local air quality management districts, further govern its operations. Typical landfill infrastructure includes liner systems, leachate collection, and gas management to mitigate environmental impacts. This landfill plays a key role in managing solid waste for the Imperial Valley region, an area with agricultural and desert ecosystems. Proper waste containment and gas control are critical to minimize methane emissions and protect groundwater in this arid environment. The facility's operational status ensures continued service for community waste disposal needs.

The landfill is located in the Sonoran Desert near the Algodones Dunes, an ecologically sensitive area with sparse vegetation and fragile soils. Groundwater resources in the region are limited and vulnerable to contamination from leachate, making liner integrity and leachate management critical. Landfill gas, primarily methane, must be collected and controlled to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with Clean Air Act regulations. Proximity to agricultural lands and the nearby community of Winterhaven requires careful management of odor, traffic, and dust.