Program Plan Implementation | BMP and Guidance l Additional Resources | Case Studies
A landfill, by the nature of the wastes placed in it, will most likely generate landfill gas, comprised mainly of methane. This landfill gas can pose serious health and safety problems for operators and the community, both during the operation of the landfill and after it has been closed, so facilities must have landfill gas monitoring and control program plans.
Monitoring and Control Program Plan Implementation
State of California regulations require monitoring of landfill gas (LFG) to determine if it is migrating beyond the permitted facility boundary. Specific regulations governing LFG monitoring and control program design standards have applied to closed landfills (LFs) since 1990, but were revised to include active disposal sites on April 19, 2007, were revised to include Following are several guidance documents prepared by the Board on this topic:
- Monitoring and Control Systems at Active Landfills FAQs
- Monitoring Program Plan Review Approach
- Monitoring Plan Parallel Review Process
- Plan Rejection Dispute Resolution Process
- Extension Requests to Delay Implementation of Monitoring Program Plans
- Enforcement Guidelines
Best Management Practices and Guidance
Final Best Management Practices (BMP) for Monitoring Well/Probe Design and Construction. These BMPs were adapted from the SCS Engineers report on Landfill Gas Monitoring Well Functionality at 20 California Landfills.
Monitoring Procedures. This document provides standardized procedures for California Integrated Waste Management Board (Board) inspectors to use when performing landfill gas (LFG) screening monitoring* during routine disposal site inspections.
Recent Guidance
- Plan rejection dispute resolution process for landfill operators now available.
- Process for operators to request extensions to delay full implementation of approved landfill gas monitoring and control program plans now available
Additional Resources
Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP): US EPA’s official website link to all things technical, dealing with landfill methane technology. The Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), created as part of the United States’ commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is a voluntary program designed to encourage and facilitate the development of environmentally and economically sound LFG projects.
Primer, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This primer is designed to provide environmental health professionals with a general understanding of landfill gases and to help them in responding to community concerns that may be related to landfill gas issues. It provides basic information about the composition, formation, and movement of landfill gas. The primer also discusses health and safety issues related to landfill gas, and it provide information about landfill gas monitoring methods and control measures.
Case Studies
- Colma Landfill, San Mateo County: Demonstrates an active landfill gas control system.
- Lopez Canyon, Los Angeles County: Microturbine landfill gas-to-energy system.
- San Quentin Landfill, Marin County: Passive gas control systems that collect gas and mitigate its impacts.
- Shoreline Landfill Amphitheater, Santa Clara County: “Great Balls of Fire” as a gas control issue.
- Yolo Central Landfill, Yolo County, using new bioreactor technology, is creating accelerated methane gas production which is being used to power engines that generate electricity.
For more information contact: LEA Support Services, PermitTrainingAssistance@calrecycle.ca.gov