Surprise Valley Lumber Landfill - Modoc County, California Solid Waste Management

Surprise Valley Lumber is a landfill located in Modoc County, California, United States. It serves the local area for solid waste disposal and is classified under NAICS code 562212, which covers solid waste landfills. The facility is operational and contributes to the region's waste management infrastructure. As a landfill in California, Surprise Valley Lumber operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills. California also has its own stringent regulations through the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and local enforcement agencies. Landfills in this state are required to implement comprehensive environmental monitoring systems, including groundwater and landfill gas management. The facility's location in a rural area of Modoc County suggests it may serve a smaller population compared to urban landfills. Its environmental significance includes potential impacts on local groundwater and air quality through leachate and landfill gas emissions. Proper management of these factors is essential to minimize ecological risks.

Landfills in California, such as Surprise Valley Lumber, must manage landfill gas to reduce methane emissions and control odors. Leachate collection systems are critical to prevent groundwater contamination, especially in areas with shallow water tables. The facility's rural location may reduce community proximity concerns but still requires careful traffic management and dust control.